definite/indefinite
|de-fi-nite - in-de-fi-nite|
🇺🇸
/ˈdɛfɪnət/
🇬🇧
/ˈdefɪnɪt/
(definite / indefinite)
clearly limited / not clearly limited
Etymology
'definite' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'definitus', where 'de-' meant 'completely' or 'down' and 'finire' meant 'to limit or end'. 'indefinite' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'indefinitus', where the prefix 'in-' meant 'not' plus 'definitus'.
'definitus' passed into Old French and Late Latin forms and then into Middle English as 'definite' or similar spellings; 'indefinitus' followed the same route with the negative prefix, producing Middle English 'indefinite' and the modern English forms.
Initially, the root meant 'to limit or set bounds'; over time 'definite' came to mean 'clearly defined or certain' while 'indefinite' kept the opposite sense 'not clearly defined or without fixed limits'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the quality or state of being definite.
The definiteness of the plan made everyone more confident.
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Adjective 1
clearly defined, precise, or certain; not likely to change.
We need a definite answer by Monday.
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Adjective 2
(Grammar) Indicating a particular or previously mentioned thing (as in 'the').
In English, 'the' is the definite article.
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Adjective 3
not clearly defined, vague, or without fixed limits; not certain.
The meeting was postponed for an indefinite period.
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Adjective 4
(Grammar) Not specifying a particular thing (as in 'a' or 'an').
In English, 'a' and 'an' are indefinite articles.
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Adverb 1
as 'definitely': certainly; without doubt.
I will definitely be there tomorrow.
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Adverb 2
as 'indefinitely': for an unspecified or unlimited period of time.
They postponed the project indefinitely.
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Last updated: 2025/10/01 13:12