indefinite

adjective

in·​def·​i·​nite (ˌ)in-ˈde-fə-nət 

-ˈdef-nət

: not definite: such as

a

: not precise : vague

an indefinite answer

b

: having no exact limits

an indefinite period of time

put on indefinite hold

c

: typically designating an unidentified, generic, or unfamiliar person or thing

the indefinite articles a and an

indefinite pronouns

indefinite noun

indefinitely adverb

indefiniteness noun

Synonyms of indefinite

• infinite
• endless

Examples of indefinite in a Sentence

We're stuck here for an indefinite period of time.

Their plans have been put on indefinite hold.

She is indefinite about her plans.

Recent Examples on the Web

At the same time, a large share of the affordable housing that does exist is tied to federal subsidies that weren't designed to be indefinite. —CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026

There's no information about the cause of the indefinite closure and there has been no response to email inquiries to Josh Taylor and the restaurant's email address, and a Facebook message to Fixture. —Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 6 Feb. 2026

Every man in New England capable of the sentiment of patriotism must have lived the last three weeks with the sense of having suffered a vast, indefinite loss. —Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026

Kaiser nurses statewide began an indefinite strike Monday, restarting picket lines that went idle after a five-day work stoppage in October 2025. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin indefinitus, from in- + definitus definite

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing indefinite

• indefinite article
• indefinite integral
• indefinite pronoun

Rhymes for indefinite

• definite

Kids Definition

indefinite

adjective

in·​def·​i·​nite (ˈ)in-ˈdef-(ə-)nət 

1

: not clear or fixed in meaning or details : vague

an indefinite answer

2

: not certain or limited (as in amount or length)

an indefinite period

3

: typically designating a person or thing that is unidentified or cannot be immediately identified

the indefinite articles "a" and "an"

indefinite noun

indefinitely adverb

indefiniteness noun