infinite
/ˈɪn.fɪ.nət/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Without any end or limit. It can describe space, time, amount, or possibility.
- The sky looked infinite at sunset.
- They talked about infinite possibilities.
- Her patience seemed infinite.
Adinary Nuance
Infinite is stronger than words like endless, very large, or huge. It suggests no limit at all, not just a big amount. Writers often use it for abstract ideas, like time, space, or possibilities. In everyday speech, it can sound more formal or poetic than ordinary words.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- vô hạn
- Spanish
- infinito
- Chinese
- 无限的
- Japanese
- 無限の
- Korean
- 무한한
Etymology
Infinite comes from Latin infinitus, meaning "not limited" or "endless." It entered English through French in the late Middle Ages.
Common phrases
infinite possibilitiesinfinite spaceinfinite patienceinfinite loop
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is infinite the same as endless?
- Very close, but infinite suggests no limit at all. Endless often means something feels long or never stops.
- Is infinite formal or informal?
- It is neutral to formal. People often use it in writing, science, and serious speech.
- Can I use infinite for numbers?
- Yes, especially in math. It means larger than any finite number.