Indefinite — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /(ˌ)in-ˈde-fə-nət/ in·def·i·nite

Meaning & Definition of Indefinite

Indefinite (adjective)

  1. not definite
  2. not precise, vague
  3. having no exact limits

Indefinite (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being or seeming to be without limits

    "the indefinite vastness of the frozen tundra"

    similar: bottomless, boundless, endless, fathomless, horizonless, illimitable, immeasurable, immensurable, infinite, limitless, measureless, unbounded, unfathomable, unlimited
    related: abysmal, countless, incalculable, incomputable, inestimable, innumerable, unmeasured, exhaustless, inexhaustible, extensive, far-flung, immense, vast
    opposite: bounded, circumscribed, confined, definite, finite, limited, restricted
    near: fathomable, measurable, depthless, shallow, superficial

  2. not expressed in precise terms

    "an indefinite longing for something new and exciting in her life"

    similar: fuzzy, inexplicit, muzzy, unclear, vague
    related: ambiguous, cryptic, dark, enigmatic, equivocal, murky, nebulous, obscure, unintelligible, bleary, blurry, dim, faint, foggy, gauzy, hazy, misty, woozy, indeterminate, indistinct, indistinguishable, uncertain, undefinable, undefined, undetermined, inexplicable, inscrutable, mysterious, baffling, bewildering, confounding, confusing, mystifying, obfuscatory, perplexing, puzzling, unfathomable
    opposite: clear, definite, explicit, specific
    near: candid, direct, forthright, foursquare, frank, honest, open, openhearted, outspoken, plainspoken, straight, straightforward, unguarded, obvious, plain, unambiguous, understandable, unequivocal, comprehensible, fathomable, intelligible, defined, distinct, well-defined, blatant, patent, unmistakable

  3. not seen or understood clearly

    "through the dense fog we could just barely discern the indefinite form of another boat"

    similar: blear, bleary, blurry, dim, faint, foggy, fuzzy, gauzy, hazy, indistinct, indistinguishable, misty, murky, nebulous, obscure, opaque, pale, shadowy, unclear, undefined, undetermined, vague
    related: dark, dusky, gloomy, impalpable, inappreciable, intangible, invisible, hieroglyphic, incomprehensible, indecipherable, indiscernible, inexplicable, mysterious, obfuscatory, puzzling
    opposite: clear, definite, pellucid
    near: bright, distinct, evident, obvious, plain, certain, firm, strong, sure

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Indefinite

The most common words with a similar meaning to Indefinite:

bottomless, boundless, endless, fathomless, horizonless, illimitable, immeasurable, immensurable, infinite, limitless, measureless, unbounded, unfathomable, unlimited, fuzzy, inexplicit, muzzy, unclear, vague, blear, bleary, blurry, dim, faint, foggy, gauzy, hazy, indistinct, indistinguishable, misty, murky, nebulous, obscure, opaque, pale, shadowy, undefined, undetermined

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Indefinite

Words with the opposite meaning of Indefinite:

bounded, circumscribed, confined, definite, finite, limited, restricted, clear, explicit, specific, pellucid

Related Words for Indefinite

abysmal, countless, incalculable, incomputable, inestimable, innumerable, unmeasured, exhaustless, inexhaustible, extensive, far-flung, immense, vast, ambiguous, cryptic, dark, enigmatic, equivocal, unintelligible, woozy, indeterminate, uncertain, undefinable, inexplicable, inscrutable, mysterious, baffling, bewildering, confounding, confusing

Near Antonyms of Indefinite

fathomable, measurable, depthless, shallow, superficial, candid, direct, forthright, foursquare, frank, honest, open, openhearted, outspoken, plainspoken, straight, straightforward, unguarded, obvious, plain, unambiguous, understandable, unequivocal, comprehensible, intelligible, defined, distinct, well-defined, blatant, patent

Word Forms of Indefinite

Derived words: indefinite (noun), indefinitely (adverb), indefiniteness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Indefinite

Latin indefinitus, from in- + definitus definite

First known use: 1530

Words & Phrases Containing Indefinite

indefinite integral, indefinite article, indefinite pronoun

Frequently Asked Questions about Indefinite

What does "Indefinite" mean?

"Indefinite" means not definite. As an adjective, it is defined as: not definite. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Indefinite"?

Other words for "Indefinite" include bottomless, boundless, endless, fathomless, horizonless, illimitable, immeasurable and immensurable. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Indefinite" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Indefinite"?

There are 82 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Indefinite". Common alternatives include bottomless, boundless, endless, fathomless, horizonless, illimitable, immeasurable, immensurable, infinite and limitless.

What is the opposite of "Indefinite"?

Antonyms of "Indefinite" include bounded, circumscribed, confined, definite, finite, limited, restricted and clear. Near antonyms include fathomable, measurable, depthless and shallow.

How do you use "Indefinite" in a sentence?

Examples of "Indefinite" in a sentence: "the indefinite vastness of the frozen tundra"; "an indefinite longing for something new and exciting in her life"; "through the dense fog we could just barely discern the indefinite form of another boat".

Is "Indefinite" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Indefinite" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Indefinite"?

"Indefinite" is pronounced /(ˌ)in-ˈde-fə-nət/ and divided into syllables as in·def·i·nite.

What is the origin of the word "Indefinite"?

"Indefinite" comes from Latin indefinitus, from in- + definitus definite. First known use: 1530.