infinitive
1 of 2adjective
in·fin·i·tive in-ˈfi-nə-tiv 
: formed with the infinitive
infinitively adverb
infinitive
2 of 2noun
: a verb form normally identical in English with the first person singular that performs some functions of a noun and at the same time displays some characteristics of a verb and that is used with to (as in "I asked him to go") except with auxiliary and various other verbs (as in "no one saw him leave")
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Nov. 2020 Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, 23 Apr. 2022 To love, synonymous with to be, a defective verb that only knows the present infinitive. Claudio Magris, Harper's Magazine, 25 May 2021 Shakespeare split just one infinitive, the King James Bible none. The Economist, 26 Apr. 2018
Adjective
This substitution of the conjunction and for the to that is part of an infinitive verb happens almost exclusively with the verb try. Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Nov. 2020 Noun
James Tiberius Kirk used to boldly go where no one has gone before — and never apologized for splitting the infinitive. Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, 23 Apr. 2022 To love, synonymous with to be, a defective verb that only knows the present infinitive. Claudio Magris, Harper's Magazine, 25 May 2021 Shakespeare split just one infinitive, the King James Bible none. The Economist, 26 Apr. 2018 Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English infinityf, borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French infinitif, borrowed from Late Latin infīnītīvus, from Latin infīnītus "not specified, indefinite, of a verbal form that does not specify person or number" + -īvus -ive — more at infinite entry 1
Noun
borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French infinitif, borrowed from Medieval Latin infīnītīvus, noun derivative of Late Latin infīnītīvus infinitive entry 1
First Known Use
Adjective
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun
1530, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing infinitive
Kids Definition
infinitive
noun
in·fin·i·tive in-ˈfi-nə-tiv
: a verb form serving as a noun or as a modifier and at the same time taking objects and adverbial modifiers
In the sentence "I have nothing to do," "to do" is an infinitive.
- took no part
- took off
- took off (from)
- took off (on)
- took off after
- took off from
- took off on
- took on
- took one's time
- took out
- took out on
- took out on someone
- took over
- took ship
- took shots at
- took something out on
- took something out on someone
- took the checkered flag
- took the count
- took the floor
- took the high road
- took the mickey out of
- took the rap
- took to
- took to task