How Do You Spell INDEFINITE?

Pronunciation: [ɪndˈɛfɪnət] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "indefinite" can be tricky for some because of its unique combination of vowels and consonants. The correct pronunciation is /ɪnˈdɛfɪnɪt/, with the stress on the second syllable. The initial "in" is pronounced as "ihn" which is followed by "def" pronounced as "deh-f". The ending "inite" is pronounced as "ihn-uh-t" with the last syllable having an unstressed "uh" sound. Despite its difficulty, mastering the spelling and pronunciation of "indefinite" is a great way to improve one's English language skills.

INDEFINITE Meaning and Definition

  1. The term "indefinite" refers to something that is not precisely determined, fixed, or known in terms of time, quantity, or extent. It suggests a lack of clear boundaries, limits, or specificity.

    In the context of time, if an event is described as indefinite, it means its duration, occurrence, or commencement is uncertain or not clearly defined. It implies that there is no specific timeframe or deadline associated with it. For example, when a project's completion date is considered indefinite, it signifies that there is no fixed or predetermined time frame for its finalization.

    In terms of quantity or extent, the term indefinite suggests an imprecise or unknown measure. It implies that there is no clear numerical value or limit associated with a particular entity or concept. For instance, if someone is described as having an indefinite number of books, it means that the exact count of books they possess is uncertain, unspecified, or unbounded.

    Overall, the concept of "indefinite" conveys a sense of uncertainty, vagueness, or lack of precision. It describes situations, events, or quantities that are not explicitly defined or limited, leaving room for variation, ambiguity, or open-endedness.

  2. Not limited; not precise or certain; not distinctly marked; vague or unsettled; in bot., applied to inflorescence in which the central or terminal flower is the last to expand; having more than twenty stamens; very numerous, as ovules or seeds.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for INDEFINITE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for INDEFINITE

Etymology of INDEFINITE

The word "indefinite" originated from the Latin word "indefinitus", which is a combination of the prefix "in-" meaning "not" or "without", and "definitus" meaning "bounded", "limited", or "defined". In turn, "definitus" comes from the verb "definire" meaning "to set bounds", "to define", or "to limit". The English word "indefinite" has retained the meaning of being without limits, boundaries, or a definite or precise nature.

Similar spelling words for INDEFINITE

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