infinite
/ˈɪnfɪnət/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪnfɪnət/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈin-fə-nət/ (ame, mw) · /ˈɪn.fɪ.nət/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪn.fə.nət/ (ame, ipa)
infinite — 形容詞
- infinitepositive
- more infinitecomparative
- most infinitesuperlative
1. having no end or boundary in space, time, or number — so that nothing lies beyon
無窮
空間、時間或數量上沒有盡頭
having no end or boundary in space, time, or number — so that nothing lies beyond or comes after it.
Kwame gazed across the desert at the seemingly infinite sands of the Sahara.
Kwame 凝視著沙漠，放眼望去是撒哈拉看似無窮的沙海。
seemingly + infinite for near-limits
The stars are so numerous that the universe seems almost infinite in size.
星星數量之多，讓整個宇宙看起來幾乎無窮無盡。
almost + infinite + in [dimension]
Yan learned in math that a line has infinite length in both directions.
Yan 在數學課上學到，一條線的兩端可以無限延伸。
A programming error caused the app to get stuck in an infinite loop.
一個程式錯誤導致應用程式陷入無窮迴圈。
The ancient Greeks debated whether time stretches backward for an infinite length.
古希臘人曾辯論時間是否向過去無限延伸。
用法筆記
Often modified by 'almost,' 'nearly,' or 'virtually' when describing something extremely large without claiming literal boundlessness.
常見錯誤
2. so great in amount, degree, or capacity that it cannot be measured or fully used
極大
程度或數量極大，無法衡量
so great in amount, degree, or capacity that it cannot be measured or fully used up.
Emre showed infinite patience when teaching his younger brother to read.
Emre 在教弟弟閱讀時展現了極大的耐心。
infinite + patience (abstract quality)
Adaeze felt infinite gratitude toward the hospital staff who saved her daughter.
Adaeze 對救了她女兒的醫護人員充滿了極大的感激。
infinite + gratitude
The artist poured infinite care into every single brushstroke of the painting.
那位畫家對畫作中的每一筆都傾注了極大的用心。
There is an infinite variety of flowers blooming in the park this spring.
今年春天公園裡盛開的花卉種類極其多樣。
Dario's generosity seemed infinite — he gave most of his savings to charity.
Dario 的慷慨似乎源源不絕——他把大部分積蓄都捐給了慈善機構。
- vast
more concrete; used for area, scope, or quantity
- immeasurable
formal; emphasises that something is too great to calculate
- inexhaustible
focuses on supply that never runs out
- countless
used when something is too numerous to count
- limited
restricted in amount or degree
- measurable
able to be quantified or assessed
用法筆記
Typically modifies abstract nouns (patience, gratitude, love, care, variety) rather than concrete physical objects. Common in appreciative or admiring contexts.
常見錯誤
infinite — 名詞
1. a state or being that is unbounded in space, time, or quantity — for example, th
無限之物
無邊無際的存在
a state or being that is unbounded in space, time, or quantity — for example, the universe as a whole, or God in certain belief systems.
Some mathematicians spend their careers studying the nature of the infinite.
有些數學家畢生都在研究無限的本質。
the + infinite as abstract concept
The telescope showed Christopher a glimpse of the infinite stretching across the night sky.
望遠鏡讓 Christopher 瞥見了橫跨夜空的無垠。
the infinite as cosmic expanse
In religious traditions, the infinite is often used as a name for God.
在宗教傳統中，無限常被用作神的名號之一。
Ramón found it hard to grasp the infinite when he first studied philosophy.
Ramón 初讀哲學時覺得很難掌握無限。
- infinity
the everyday noun form; interchangeable in many contexts but less formal
- the cosmos
specifically refers to the universe as an ordered whole
- eternity
refers to infinite time, not space or quantity
- the finite
the opposite concept; that which has limits
用法筆記
Almost always preceded by the definite article 'the.' More common in philosophical, mathematical, and theological writing than in everyday conversation.