infinite
gb/ˈɪnfɪnɪt/ us/ˈɪnfɪnɪt/
B2
English
~ 8200
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
without any limit or end
So large or great that it has no end or limit.
Usage pattern:
infinite [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"an infinite"* on its own, but *infinite* is an adjective and must describe a noun (e.g., *an infinite number*, *infinite time*). Another common confusion is between *infinite* (adjective) and *infinity* (noun): say *an infinite number*, but *for all infinity* or *for infinity*.
Synonyms
limitless (Very close in meaning; often used in similar contexts but slightly more informal.)
|
endless (Stresses having no end, often for time or repetition; can sound more emotional or informal.)
|
boundless (Suggests wide open space or very great amount; a bit more literary.)
Antonyms
finite (States that something has limits or an end, especially in number or size.)
|
limited (Emphasizes that there is a fixed or small amount or degree.)
Collocations
infinite possibilities
|infinite patience
|infinite resources
|infinite variety
|infinite space
|seemingly infinite
Themes
general
|time
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The universe contains an infinite number of stars.
- She seemed to have infinite patience with the children.
- The internet gives us almost infinite access to information.
- There are infinite possibilities for how this story could end.
- His kindness appeared infinite, no matter how much people asked of him.
Learner examples
- The sky looks infinite at night.
- There is an infinite number of points on a line.
- Her love for her family feels infinite.
- We have infinite choices on the menu today.
- He has infinite energy and never seems tired.
adjective
technical
C1
property
2
mathematically unbounded or endless
In mathematics, so large that no normal number is big enough to describe it, or going on without end.
Usage pattern:
infinite [set/series/value]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse everyday *infinite* with the stricter mathematical meaning. In math, *infinite* often describes sets, sequences, or processes, not just something very big. Also, avoid saying *"more infinite"* or *"less infinite"* in mathematical writing.
Synonyms
unbounded (Technical term stressing that something has no upper limit.)
Antonyms
finite (The standard mathematical opposite, describing sets or values that are limited or countable.)
Collocations
infinite series
|infinite set
|infinite sequence
|infinite plane
|infinite loop
Themes
mathematics
|science
|technology
Examples
- In calculus, we often work with functions defined on an infinite interval.
- The set of prime numbers is infinite.
- An infinite series may converge to a finite value.
- This algorithm will create an infinite loop if the condition never changes.
- They modeled space as an infinite plane for simplicity.
Learner examples
- Mathemics uses the idea of an infinite line.
- The teacher said the natural numbers are infinite.
- We studied an infinite series in class today.
- The program had an infinite loop and never stopped.
- Some sets are finite and some are infinite.
Noun
formal
C1
state
3
the state of being endless
The idea of something that has no end or limit in space, time, or amount.
Usage pattern:
the infinite
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes write *"an infinite"* when they mean *"the infinite"* as a general idea. In this sense, it is almost always used with *the* and often in formal or literary style.
Synonyms
eternity (Focuses on endless time rather than size or amount.)
|
the limitless (Less common phrase; emphasizes the absence of limits in general.)
Antonyms
the finite (Refers to the limited, bounded world of everyday experience.)
Collocations
the infinite
|union with the infinite
|reach toward the infinite
|contemplation of the infinite
Themes
philosophy
|religion
|literature
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The poet wrote about the infinite as something both beautiful and terrifying.
- Meditation made him feel briefly connected to the infinite.
- Philosophers have long debated how the finite relates to the infinite.
- She stared at the ocean and felt as if she were looking into the infinite.
- Some religious traditions describe God as the infinite and the absolute.
Learner examples
- He felt small when he thought about the infinite.
- The book talks about the infinite and our place in it.
- Some people believe the soul joins the infinite after death.
- She dreams of traveling into the infinite of space.
- The class discussed how the finite meets the infinite.
Noun
technical
C2
entity
4
mathematical infinity as a value
In mathematics, a special value or sign (∞) that shows a number that goes on without end.
Usage pattern:
to approach (the) infinite
Common mistake:
Learners normally should use *infinity* as the noun in mathematics. Using *the infinite* as a noun in math is uncommon and can sound old-fashioned or very technical.
Synonyms
infinity (The more common noun in mathematics; *infinite* as a noun is rarer and more specialized.)
Antonyms
finite value (Any ordinary, limited numerical value.)
Collocations
approach the infinite
|tend to the infinite
|at the infinite
|beyond the infinite
Themes
mathematics
|science
Examples
- As x increases, the function's value tends toward the infinite.
- Some extended number systems treat the infinite as a kind of point.
- In this context, dividing by zero informally suggests reaching the infinite.
- The graph seems to stretch toward the infinite in both directions.
- Advanced set theory studies different sizes of the infinite.
Learner examples
- In this math problem, the line goes to the infinite.
- The teacher drew the sign for the infinite on the board.
- The curve moves up and up, to the infinite.
- Some number systems include the infinite as a point.
- We talked about the infinite and finite numbers in class.
Grammar
Dictionary form
infinite
IPA
GB/ˈɪnfɪnɪt/
US/ˈɪnfɪnɪt/
Syllables & stress
in - fin - ite (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (in)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: infinite
Word family
Core family
infinity
noun B2
infinitely
adverb B2
Negative and opposite forms
finite
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
infinitesimal
adjective
infinitesimally
adverb
Expressions
an infinite number of
1/ən ˈɪnfɪnɪt nˈʌmbɚ əv/
fixed phrase
a number with no limit
So many of something that there is no final number; the amount never ends.
Examples
- There are an infinite number of ways to solve this problem.
- The internet offers an infinite number of possible distractions.
- In theory, there could be an infinite number of parallel universes.
infinite loop
1/ˈɪnfɪnɪt lˈup/
fixed phrase
technical
program loop that never ends
In computer code, a loop that runs again and again and never stops by itself.
Examples
- A missing break statement can cause an infinite loop.
- The program froze because it got stuck in an infinite loop.
- Be careful not to create an infinite loop when writing your while statement.
infinite patience
1/ˈɪnfɪnɪt pˈeɪʃəns/
fixed phrase
patience that never ends
Patience that seems to have no limit, no matter how long something takes.
Examples
- Teachers of small children need infinite patience.
- She listened with infinite patience as he told his long story.
- Only someone with infinite patience could finish that detailed model.
infinite possibilities
1/ˈɪnfɪnɪt pˌɑsəbˈɪlətiz/
fixed phrase
endless different options or outcomes
Very many different things can happen or be chosen, with no clear limit.
Examples
- New technology brings infinite possibilities for communication.
- Standing at the start of his career, he felt he had infinite possibilities.
- The open world design gives players almost infinite possibilities.
infinite regress
1/ˈɪnfɪnɪt ɹˈiɡɹɛs/
fixed phrase
formal
endless chain of explanations
In philosophy or logic, a situation where each reason or cause needs another reason or cause before it, and this chain never ends.
Examples
- The argument fails because it leads to an infinite regress.
- Philosophers try to avoid an infinite regress when explaining knowledge.
- Positing a cause for every cause would create an infinite regress.
infinite regress
1/ˈɪnfɪnɪt ɹˈiɡɹɛs/
fixed phrase
formal
endless chain of explanation
a chain of answers or causes that goes back forever and never reaches a final explanation
Examples
- If every rule needs another rule to justify it, the argument falls into an infinite regress.
- The question "Who created the creator?" is often used to illustrate an infinite regress.
- She rejected the theory because it seemed to produce an infinite regress of causes.
infinite variety
1/ˈɪnfɪnɪt vɚˈaɪəti/
fixed phrase
countless different kinds or forms
So many different kinds of something that you cannot count or easily limit them.
Examples
- The city offers an infinite variety of food from around the world.
- Nature shows an infinite variety of shapes and colors.
- Online stores provide an almost infinite variety of products.
infinite wisdom
1/ˈɪnfɪnɪt wˈɪzdəm/
fixed phrase
complete or limitless wisdom
Very great wisdom, often said in a joking or ironic way to talk about a decision someone made.
Examples
- In their infinite wisdom, the managers scheduled three meetings at the same time.
- The story describes a god of infinite wisdom and mercy.
- Our parents, in their infinite wisdom, decided to move in the middle of the school year.
to an infinite degree
1/tə ən ˈɪnfɪnɪt dɪɡɹˈi/
fixed phrase
formal
to a limitless extent
To a very great level, as if there is no limit.
Examples
- The problem is complicated to an infinite degree.
- Such a system can be refined to an infinite degree in theory.
- His trust in her was, to an infinite degree, unshakable.