indefinite
gb/ɪndˈɛfɪnɪt/ us/ɪndˈɛfɪnɪt/
B2
英语
~ 8000
义项
0 个义项
adjective
B2
property
1
not clearly fixed or exact
Not clear or exact; it can change or is not fully decided.
用法模式：
an indefinite [amount/time/plan/answer]
常见错误：
Learners sometimes confuse "indefinite" with "infinite". "Indefinite" means not clearly fixed or exact, while "infinite" means without any limit at all. For example, an "indefinite number" is an unclear or unknown number, not a number that goes on forever.
近义词
vague (Emphasizes lack of clear details or sharp limits, often slightly more informal.)
反义词
definite (Stresses that something is clearly decided, fixed, or exact.)
搭配
indefinite answer
|indefinite plans
|indefinite number
|indefinite amount
|rather indefinite
|somewhat indefinite
主题
communication
|measurement
|time
|core_vocabulary
例句
- Her explanation of the delay was very indefinite and left us with more questions than answers.
- The report gives only an indefinite estimate of the total cost.
- At this early stage, our goals for the project are still quite indefinite.
- Because the contract uses such indefinite language, it may be hard to enforce in court.
学习者例句
- His answer was too indefinite, so no one knew what to do.
- We have an indefinite plan to travel next year, but nothing is fixed.
- The email gave an indefinite time for the meeting and did not say the exact hour.
- She had an indefinite idea in her mind but could not explain it clearly.
adjective
B2
property
2
lasting for unknown length of time
Continuing without a set end time; no one knows when it will stop.
用法模式：
indefinite [period/leave/detention/suspension]
常见错误：
Learners often mix up "indefinite" and "infinite" when talking about time. "Indefinite" means the end time is not known or not set, but it can still end. "Infinite" means it never ends at all. For example, a prison sentence can be "indefinite" but not "infinite".
近义词
open-ended (Commonly used for arrangements that are meant to continue until changed, often slightly more positive or neutral in tone.)
反义词
fixed-term (Highlights that the end date is clearly decided and limited in time.)
搭配
indefinite period
|indefinite leave
|indefinite detention
|indefinite suspension
|put on indefinite hold
|remain indefinite
主题
time
|law
|work
|core_vocabulary
例句
- He was placed in indefinite detention while the authorities completed their investigation.
- She took indefinite leave from her job to care for her sick father.
- Talks have been put on indefinite hold after both sides failed to agree.
- Because of the funding cuts, the museum's expansion plans are on indefinite suspension.
学习者例句
- The strike will continue for an indefinite period.
- He has an indefinite contract, so there is no end date for his job.
- Our stay in the city is indefinite; we do not know when we will leave.
- The show is on indefinite break because the main actor is ill.
adjective
technical
C1
property
3
non-specific in grammatical reference
Used in grammar for words that talk about any person or thing, not a specific one that the listener already knows.
用法模式：
indefinite [article/pronoun/noun phrase]
常见错误：
Learners sometimes think "indefinite article" means the noun is not clear in the speaker’s mind. In grammar, it only means the noun is not specific or known to both speaker and listener, not that the speaker is confused.
近义词
non-specific (General term; in grammar, it overlaps in meaning but is less standard as a label than "indefinite".)
反义词
definite (In grammar, describes reference to a specific, identified person or thing, as with "the" or "this".)
搭配
indefinite article
|indefinite pronoun
|indefinite noun phrase
|indefinite reference
|indefinite subject
主题
grammar
|education
|communication
例句
- In English, "a" and "an" are called indefinite articles because they do not point to a specific object.
- Words like "someone," "anything," and "nobody" are indefinite pronouns.
- The teacher asked students to change each definite noun phrase into an indefinite one.
- An indefinite reference often introduces a new person or thing into the conversation.
学习者例句
- The word "a" is an indefinite article.
- The word "someone" is an indefinite pronoun.
- We use an indefinite article when we talk about a thing for the first time.
- The teacher showed us the difference between definite and indefinite noun phrases.
adjective
technical
C1
property
4
without specified limits in math
In math, used for things like integrals that do not have fixed start and end values.
用法模式：
indefinite [integral/form/matrix]
常见错误：
Students often forget that an indefinite integral represents a whole family of functions and must include "+ C" for the constant of integration.
近义词
unbounded (In math, can describe something without bounds, but is broader and not used as a standard label for integrals.)
反义词
definite (In calculus, a definite integral has clearly stated upper and lower limits.)
搭配
indefinite integral
|indefinite form
|indefinite matrix
|indefinite metric
主题
mathematics
|science
|education
例句
- The chapter introduces the concept of the indefinite integral before moving on to definite integrals.
- Remember to add the constant of integration when you write an indefinite integral.
- Some functions have the same derivative, so their indefinite integrals differ only by a constant.
学习者例句
- Today in class we learned how to find an indefinite integral.
- Do not forget to add "+ C" to every indefinite integral.
- The teacher showed the difference between an indefinite integral and a definite integral.
语法
词典原形
indefinite
IPA
GB/ɪndˈɛfɪnɪt/
US/ɪndˈɛfɪnɪt/
音节与重音
in - def - ite （3 个音节）
Stress on 2nd syllable (def)
词形变化
Adjective
- Base: indefinite
词族
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
indefinitely
adverb B2
undefined
adjective
Related words
definitive
adjective C1
definitively
adverb
Advanced or less common
definiteness
noun
indefiniteness
noun
相关表达
for an indefinite period
1/fɚ ən ɪndˈɛfɪnɪt pˈɪɹiəd/
fixed phrase
for an unknown length of time
For a length of time that is not fixed or known.
例句
- The museum will be closed for an indefinite period while repairs are carried out.
- He expects to stay in the country for an indefinite period.
for an indefinite time
1/fɚ ən ɪndˈɛfɪnɪt tˈaɪm/
fixed phrase
for a time with no set end
For a time that may be long or short, but no one knows when it will end.
例句
- Because of the war, the family will live abroad for an indefinite time.
- The service has been suspended for an indefinite time due to safety concerns.
indefinite article
1/ɪndˈɛfɪnɪt ˈɑɹtɪkəl/
fixed phrase
technical
non-specific article in grammar
A word like "a" or "an" that shows we are talking about any one thing of a type, not a specific one.
例句
- In the sentence "I bought a car", the word "a" is an indefinite article.
- Many languages have more than one indefinite article with different uses.
indefinite detention
1/ɪndˈɛfɪnɪt dɪtˈɛnʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
detention without fixed end date
Keeping someone in prison or a special place with no set date when they must be released.
例句
- Human rights groups have criticized the government's use of indefinite detention.
- The new law allows for the indefinite detention of suspects without trial.
indefinite leave to remain
1/ɪndˈɛfɪnɪt lˈiv tə ɹɪmˈeɪn/
fixed phrase
formal
permanent residence permission (UK)
In the UK, legal permission for a person to live and work in the country with no time limit.
例句
- After five years on a work visa, she applied for indefinite leave to remain.
- Holding indefinite leave to remain allows him to work in the UK without restrictions.
indefinite noun phrase
1/ɪndˈɛfɪnɪt nˈaʊn fɹˈeɪz/
fixed phrase
technical
non-specific noun phrase
A group of words with a noun that talks about any person or thing, not a special one that both people know.
例句
- An indefinite noun phrase like "a student" can introduce a new person into the story.
- The book explains how using a definite or an indefinite noun phrase can change the meaning of a sentence.
indefinite pronoun
1/ɪndˈɛfɪnɪt pɹˈoʊnaʊn/
fixed phrase
technical
non-specific pronoun in grammar
A word like "someone", "anything", or "nobody" that does not name a specific person or thing.
例句
- The teacher asked the class to underline every indefinite pronoun in the paragraph.
- Words such as "everyone" and "nothing" are common indefinite pronouns.
indefinite pronoun
1/ɪndˈɛfɪnɪt pɹˈoʊnaʊn/
fixed phrase
technical
pronoun with non-specific reference
A word like “someone” or “nothing” that does not name a specific person or thing.
例句
- “Someone left their umbrella” contains an indefinite pronoun.
- In “Everything is ready,” “everything” is an indefinite pronoun.
- Some indefinite pronouns are treated as singular in standard English.