indefinite
adjective
in·def·i·nite (ˌ)in-ˈde-fə-nət 
-ˈdef-nət
: not definite: such as
a
: not precise : vague
b
: having no exact limits
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
- bottomless
- boundless
- endless
- fathomless
- horizonless
- illimitable
- immeasurable
- immensurable
- infinite
- limitless
- measureless
- unbounded
- unfathomable
- unlimited
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 The Inflation Reduction Act’s passage in Congress was premised on providing giveaways to oil and gas drillers, whose indefinite profits Democratic Party leaders don’t see as incompatible with a habitable future. 
Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, 8 Sep. 2022 European natural gas prices surged this week following Russia’s indefinite shutdown of Nord Stream flows. Mary Hui, Quartz, 8 Sep. 2022 European stock markets rebounded after falling Monday following Russia’s indefinite halt of natural-gas flows through a major pipeline. Hardika Singh, WSJ, 6 Sep. 2022 Under compulsory, indefinite national service, citizens are conscripted or assigned to civilian jobs. Steve Walker, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2022 The Haitian refugee crisis of 1991, not the attacks of 9/11, was the inciting event that converted Guantánamo Bay into a space for indefinite detention. Steven W. Thrasher, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2022 When American engagement winds down there in September, the minorities fear abandonment to a fate of indefinite limbo, in lockdown at EHC, or, if the UAE tires of supporting the camp and deports them, certain death ... Nina Shea, National Review, 28 Aug. 2022 On August 8, Juan Carlos boarded a private jet in the city of Vigo, near Sanxenxo, and flew to Abu Dhabi—the oil-rich emirate controlled for centuries by his close friends the Al Nahyans—to begin an indefinite exile. Joshua Hammer, Town & Country, 21 Aug. 2022 This would also require them to designate a successor in the event of failure or bankruptcy, so users are ensured indefinite support. Klaudia Jaźwińska, STAT, 12 Aug. 2022 See More
Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, 8 Sep. 2022 European natural gas prices surged this week following Russia’s indefinite shutdown of Nord Stream flows. Mary Hui, Quartz, 8 Sep. 2022 European stock markets rebounded after falling Monday following Russia’s indefinite halt of natural-gas flows through a major pipeline. Hardika Singh, WSJ, 6 Sep. 2022 Under compulsory, indefinite national service, citizens are conscripted or assigned to civilian jobs. Steve Walker, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2022 The Haitian refugee crisis of 1991, not the attacks of 9/11, was the inciting event that converted Guantánamo Bay into a space for indefinite detention. Steven W. Thrasher, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2022 When American engagement winds down there in September, the minorities fear abandonment to a fate of indefinite limbo, in lockdown at EHC, or, if the UAE tires of supporting the camp and deports them, certain death ... Nina Shea, National Review, 28 Aug. 2022 On August 8, Juan Carlos boarded a private jet in the city of Vigo, near Sanxenxo, and flew to Abu Dhabi—the oil-rich emirate controlled for centuries by his close friends the Al Nahyans—to begin an indefinite exile. Joshua Hammer, Town & Country, 21 Aug. 2022 This would also require them to designate a successor in the event of failure or bankruptcy, so users are ensured indefinite support. Klaudia Jaźwińska, STAT, 12 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin indefinitus, from in- + definitus definite
First Known Use
1530, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing indefinite
Kids Definition
indefinite
adjective
in·def·i·nite in-ˈde-fə-nət
1
: not certain in amount or length
an indefinite period
2
: not clear in meaning or details
She is indefinite about her plans.
indefinite
adjective
1
as in infinite
being or seeming to be without limits the indefinite vastness of the frozen tundra Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- infinite
- endless
- limitless
- unlimited
- vast
- boundless
- illimitable
- immeasurable
- measureless
- unbounded
- horizonless
- fathomless
- unfathomable
- extensive
- incalculable
- immensurable
- immense
- inexhaustible
- innumerable
- unmeasured
- incomputable
- exhaustless
- countless
- abysmal
- bottomless
- inestimable
- far-flung
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- definite
- finite
- limited
- confined
- restricted
- circumscribed
- bounded
- measurable
- superficial
- shallow
- fathomable
- depthless
2
as in vague
not expressed in precise terms an indefinite longing for something new and exciting in her life Synonyms & Similar Words
- vague
- unclear
- ambiguous
- fuzzy
- cryptic
- inexplicit
- indeterminate
- obscure
- confusing
- nebulous
- uncertain
- enigmatic
- undefined
- muzzy
- enigmatical
- unintelligible
- undetermined
- undefinable
- equivocal
- indistinct
- hazy
- murky
- inexplicable
- blurry
- dim
- mysterious
- faint
- dark
- foggy
- inscrutable
- misty
- indistinguishable
- bewildering
- woozy
- perplexing
- unfathomable
- bleary
- baffling
- mystifying
- puzzling
- confounding
- gauzy
- obfuscatory
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- definite
- specific
- explicit
- clear
- direct
- unambiguous
- unequivocal
- open
- obvious
- straight
- frank
- outspoken
- straightforward
- unguarded
- understandable
- forthright
- honest
- plain
- candid
- distinct
- intelligible
- defined
- comprehensible
- openhearted
- unmistakable
- plainspoken
- foursquare
- fathomable
- patent
- blatant
- well-defined
3
as in undefined
not seen or understood clearly through the dense fog we could just barely discern the indefinite form of another boat Synonyms & Similar Words
- vague
- undefined
- nebulous
- hazy
- undetermined
- faint
- indistinct
- unclear
- fuzzy
- obscure
- shadowy
- pale
- dim
- blurry
- murky
- indistinguishable
- dark
- opaque
- foggy
- misty
- bleary
- blear
- gauzy
- invisible
- intangible
- dusky
- inappreciable
- inexplicable
- incomprehensible
- impalpable
- gloomy
- mysterious
- indiscernible
- indecipherable
- puzzling
- hieroglyphic
- obfuscatory
- hieroglyphical
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- definite
- clear
- distinct
- certain
- obvious
- evident
- pellucid
- plain
- bright
- strong
- sure
- firm
- private eye
- private eyes
- private first class
- private gold
- private insurance
- private investigator
- private investigators
- private joke
- private judge
- private judging
- private judgment
- private label
- private law
- private mark
- private member
- private member's bill
- private notice question
- private parts
- private patient
- private placement
- private practice
- private school
- private secretary
- private sector
- private siding