indefinitely
Indefinitely (adv) means For an unspecified length of time, with no planned end. Example: “The flight was delayed indefinitely due to the storm.”
How to use indefinitely
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGoing on with no fixed stopping point.
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Can you complete this real example?
The flight was delayed _____ due to the storm.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for indefinitely
See all rhymes for indefinitely →Frequently asked questions
What does “indefinitely” mean?
The word “indefinitely” means for an unspecified length of time, with no planned end. In plain terms, going on with no fixed stopping point.
How do you pronounce “indefinitely”?
“Indefinitely” is pronounced ihn-DEH-fih-niht-lee (/ɪnˈdɛfɪnɪtli/ in IPA).
How do you use “indefinitely” in a sentence?
Here is “indefinitely” used in a sentence: “The flight was delayed indefinitely due to the storm.”
What part of speech is “indefinitely”?
“Indefinitely” is an adverb.
Is “indefinitely” a common word?
“Indefinitely” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between "indefinitely" and "forever"?
"Indefinitely" means for an unspecified length of time with no planned end, leaving open the possibility that it could end later. "Forever" is stronger and implies it will never end at all, so "indefinitely" is used when a stop point simply hasn't been decided yet.
When would you say a project is "postponed indefinitely" versus "postponed until further notice"?
Both phrases mean essentially the same thing: no specific end date or restart date has been set. "Indefinitely" is a single adverb that works in many contexts, while "until further notice" is a slightly more formal phrase often used in official announcements.
Does "indefinitely" imply something is permanent?
Not necessarily. It simply means the duration has not been fixed or announced, so the situation could resume or change at any point, even though no timeline exists.
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