Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [in-def-uh-nit]
- /ɪnˈdɛf ə nɪt/
- /ɪnˈdef.ɪ.nət/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [in-def-uh-nit]
- /ɪnˈdɛf ə nɪt/
Definitions of indefinite word
- adjective indefinite not definite; without fixed or specified limit; unlimited: an indefinite number. 1
- adjective indefinite not clearly defined or determined; not precise or exact: an indefinite boundary; an indefinite date in the future. 1
- adjective indefinite Grammar. indefinite article. indefinite pronoun. 1
- adjective indefinite Botany. very numerous or not easily counted, as stamens. (of an inflorescence) indeterminate. 1
- noun indefinite Lasting for an unknown or unstated length of time. 1
- adjective indefinite not defined 1
Information block about the term
Origin of indefinite
First appearance:
before 1520 One of the 28% oldest English words
From the Latin word indēfīnītus, dating back to 1520-30. See in-3, definite
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Indefinite
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
indefinite popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 68% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
indefinite usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for indefinite
adj indefinite
- undetermined — resolute; staunch: the determined defenders of the Alamo.
- infinite — immeasurably great: an infinite capacity for forgiveness.
- unlimited — not limited; unrestricted; unconfined: unlimited trade.
- undefined — without fixed limits; indefinite in form, extent, or application: undefined authority; undefined feelings of sadness.
- broad — Something that is broad is wide.
adjective indefinite
- unspecified — to mention or name specifically or definitely; state in detail: He did not specify the amount needed.
- open-ended — not having fixed limits; unrestricted; broad: an open-ended discussion.
- ambiguous — If you describe something as ambiguous, you mean that it is unclear or confusing because it can be understood in more than one way.
- vague — not clearly or explicitly stated or expressed: vague promises.
- equivocal — Open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous.
Antonyms for indefinite
adj indefinite
- bounded — (of a set) having a bound, esp where a measure is defined in terms of which all the elements of the set, or the differences between all pairs of members, are less than some value, or else all its members lie within some other well-defined set
- finite — compact
- definite — If something such as a decision or an arrangement is definite, it is firm and clear, and unlikely to be changed.
- limited — confined within limits; restricted or circumscribed: a limited space; limited resources.
- certain — If you are certain about something, you firmly believe it is true and have no doubt about it. If you are not certain about something, you do not have definite knowledge about it.
adjective indefinite
adverb indefinite
- unmistakably — not mistakable; clear; obvious.
- as a matter of fact — You use as a matter of fact to introduce a statement that gives more details about what has just been said, or an explanation of it, or something that contrasts with it.
- veritably — being truly or very much so: a veritable triumph.
- without fail — to fall short of success or achievement in something expected, attempted, desired, or approved: The experiment failed because of poor planning.
- confirmedly — In a manner that is confirmed; definitely, as has been demonstrated.
Top questions with indefinite
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See also
Matching words
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