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

The latest scandal to make the headlines came this week, when it was reported that Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby has taken an indefinite leave from the program to get treatment for a gambling addiction. —Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2026

The American Airlines flight from Miami International Airport comes seven years after the Department of Homeland Security enacted an indefinite suspension of flights to Venezuela citing security concerns. —Caitlyn Frolo, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026

In the short term, despite an indefinite cease-fire that kicked in last week following an initial two-week pause in hostilities, a durable end to the war isn’t coming anytime soon. —Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2026

The YouTuber who crashed the stage during the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh has just earned himself an indefinite ban from all league events. —Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 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