WordLens

indefinite

1 of 1adjective
/ˌɪn.ˈdɛ.fə.nət/
Forms:more indefinite,most indefinite
1

not precisely or clearly defined, stated, or known

  • The instructions were so indefinite that many participants struggled to complete the task correctly.
  • His indefinite answer left everyone confused, as they were expecting a more straightforward response.
  • The report contained indefinite terms that made it difficult to understand the conclusions drawn by the researchers.
  • She described her feelings in an indefinite manner, avoiding specific details that might clarify her thoughts.
  • The project's goals were still indefinite, leading to uncertainty among team members about their responsibilities.
Synonyms:
ill-definedtenebrousslipperycloudyunclearnebulousfoggyundefinedambiguousindistinctmuddyuncertainsquishyvagueopaqueequivocalimpreciseunspecificinexact
Antonyms:
definite
2

lasting for an unspecified length of time

  • The project's timeline was indefinite, causing uncertainty among the team members.
  • The agreement had an indefinite duration, subject to review every year.
  • The court ordered the defendant's indefinite detention while further investigations were conducted.
  • She received an indefinite leave of absence from work due to personal reasons.
  • Due to the pandemic, many travel plans were put on indefinite hold, leaving travelers uncertain about future trips.
Synonyms:
unspecified
3

being undecided about a particular choice or outcome

  • The manager remained indefinite about approving the proposal, leaving the staff unsure of what to expect.
  • He remained indefinite about whether he would attend the meeting, leaving the organizers waiting for his decision.
  • After weeks of reflection, she was still indefinite about moving to another city.
  • Even after several discussions, she was still indefinite about whether to move to a new city or stay put.
Synonyms:
undecided
4

feeling uncertain about something

  • Sarah felt indefinite about whether to accept the job offer, unsure if it was the right fit for her long-term goals.
  • She felt indefinite about her future career path, unsure whether to pursue medicine or education.
  • I’ve been indefinite about which courses to take next semester, hoping to find the right fit for my interests.
  • They felt indefinite about their travel plans.
Synonyms:
doubtfuldubiousunsuretentativeuncertainincertainskepticalhesitant
5

(of a grammatical component) used to refer to general or unfamiliar persons, things, or concepts

  • In the sentence "A dog is barking," the use of the indefinite article "a" indicates any dog, not a specific one.
  • Indefinite pronouns like "someone" and "anyone" can refer to people without specifying who they are.
  • The teacher explained that indefinite nouns can create ambiguity when discussing ideas or concepts in writing.
  • When asking for help, she used an indefinite reference, saying, "Can someone assist me with this task?"
6

(of an integral) not evaluated between specific limits

  • To solve the equation, she first calculated the indefinite integral of the function, ensuring to include the +C.
  • Understanding the concept of indefinite integrals is crucial for mastering calculus and solving differential equations.
  • The professor emphasized the importance of practicing indefinite integrals to grasp the fundamental theorem of calculus.
  • When faced with the indefinite integral, he realized that the lack of limits meant he had to express the solution in a general form.
  • In her homework, she encountered an indefinite integral that required careful manipulation to find the correct antiderivative.