indefinite

/ɪnˈdefɪnət/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈdefɪnət/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)in-ˈde-fə-nət -ˈdef-nət/ (ame, mw)

indefinite — adjective

  • indefinitepositive
  • more indefinitecomparative
  • most indefinitesuperlative

1. not clearly stated, not exact, or not having a fixed limit — for example, an ind

1.形容詞B2
釋義

not clearly stated, not exact, or not having a fixed limit — for example, an indefinite period of time whose end is unknown, or an indefinite answer that lacks clear details.

例句

The manager's instructions were so indefinite that no one knew what to do.

indefinite + instructions (vague communication)

Dr. Yuki has been on indefinite leave from the hospital since her surgery last year.

indefinite leave / indefinite period

同義詞
  • vague

    more about lacking detail; 'indefinite' can also mean without time limits

  • unclear

    focuses on confusion; 'indefinite' is often about intentional lack of precision

  • unspecified

    narrower — only means not stated explicitly, not necessarily unclear

反義詞

文法句型

indefinite + noun (period, leave, duration)

be / remain / seem + indefinite

用法筆記

When used before a noun about time ('an indefinite period', 'indefinite leave'), the emphasis is on 'no fixed end'. When used after a linking verb ('the answer was indefinite'), the emphasis is on 'vague or unclear'. The adverb form 'indefinitely' is very common for time contexts ('the event was postponed indefinitely').

常見錯誤

❌She has an indefinite number of books on her shelf.
✅She has an unknown number of books on her shelf.
💡'indefinite' is not about an uncertain quantity; it describes something not clearly defined or bounded.
❌The meeting is indefinite postponed.
✅The meeting is postponed indefinitely.
💡When modifying a verb, the adverb 'indefinitely' is needed, not the adjective 'indefinite'.