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
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
Three other Giants players bet on baseball months earlier, and received indefinite suspensions.
—
Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
Just days ago, the head coach praised Green’s ability to balance his competitive fire with composure; Wednesday was his first ejection since returning from his indefinite suspension.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2024
It's essentially shut down the nation's busiest port for cars and light trucks and the ninth-busiest port overall for an indefinite period.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024
After several television seasons and years of releasing music and touring, Kendall Schmidt, James Maslow, Logan Henderson, and Carlos PenaVega put the band on indefinite hiatus in 2014.
—Lisa Raphael, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2024
For the record, 1D was created through the vehicle of another reality TV format, the 2010 season of The X Factor, setting charts and hearts ablaze until 2016, when the group went on indefinite hiatus.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2024
The Health Ministry said Wednesday that authorities have received 58 public complaints over the walkouts, mostly regarding indefinite delays of surgeries and cancellations of other medical treatments.
—Hyung-Jin Kim, Quartz, 21 Feb. 2024
The collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge could have a significant economic impact, effectively shutting down the nation’s busiest port for cars and light trucks in the U.S. and the ninth busiest port overall for an indefinite period.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024
The Israeli military will then operate in the territory for an indefinite period on a counterterrorism mission, assume greater control along the border with Egypt and deradicalize the population.
—Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2024
Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
Just days ago, the head coach praised Green’s ability to balance his competitive fire with composure; Wednesday was his first ejection since returning from his indefinite suspension.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2024
It's essentially shut down the nation's busiest port for cars and light trucks and the ninth-busiest port overall for an indefinite period.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024
After several television seasons and years of releasing music and touring, Kendall Schmidt, James Maslow, Logan Henderson, and Carlos PenaVega put the band on indefinite hiatus in 2014.
—Lisa Raphael, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2024
For the record, 1D was created through the vehicle of another reality TV format, the 2010 season of The X Factor, setting charts and hearts ablaze until 2016, when the group went on indefinite hiatus.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2024
The Health Ministry said Wednesday that authorities have received 58 public complaints over the walkouts, mostly regarding indefinite delays of surgeries and cancellations of other medical treatments.
—Hyung-Jin Kim, Quartz, 21 Feb. 2024
The collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge could have a significant economic impact, effectively shutting down the nation’s busiest port for cars and light trucks in the U.S. and the ninth busiest port overall for an indefinite period.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024
The Israeli military will then operate in the territory for an indefinite period on a counterterrorism mission, assume greater control along the border with Egypt and deradicalize the population.
—Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'indefinite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Indefinite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indefinite. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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