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
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
Trump this week announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire with Iran. —
Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026 Grayner accused District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson of later placing her on indefinite administrative leave for continuing to voice her concerns. —Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026 The latest effort to broker a deal comes as an indefinite ceasefire has paused most fighting, but economic fallout is still mounting with global energy shipments disrupted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. —ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026 The Biden administration had previously put an indefinite moratorium on the use of pentobarbital and declined to impose the death penalty in many cases. —Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for indefinite
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026 Grayner accused District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson of later placing her on indefinite administrative leave for continuing to voice her concerns. —Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026 The latest effort to broker a deal comes as an indefinite ceasefire has paused most fighting, but economic fallout is still mounting with global energy shipments disrupted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. —ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026 The Biden administration had previously put an indefinite moratorium on the use of pentobarbital and declined to impose the death penalty in many cases. —Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for indefinite
Cite this Entry
“Indefinite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/indefinite. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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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