The word indefinitely means for an unknown or unlimited amount of time. When something happens indefinitely, there is no clear date or time set for when it will end.
For example, if a store is “closed indefinitely,” it means the store is closed, but no reopening date has been announced.
You may see indefinitely in everyday conversations, news reports, workplace messages, school writing, and official announcements.
It can describe something that continues without a known end date, such as a delay, closure, suspension, or change in plans.
Understanding this word is also helpful because indefinitely is sometimes confused with definitely, even though the two words have very different meanings.
Quick Answer: Indefinitely Meaning
Indefinitely means for an unknown, uncertain, or unlimited period of time. It tells us that something will continue or remain in place, but there is no specific end date.
For example:
“The event has been postponed indefinitely.”
This means the event has been postponed, but no new date has been decided or announced.
What Does Indefinitely Mean?
Indefinitely is an adverb that describes something continuing for an amount of time that is not known or not limited.
The important idea is uncertainty about when something will end. It does not always mean that something will last forever. Instead, it means that nobody knows exactly when it will stop, or no ending point has been set.
For example:
“The road will remain closed indefinitely.”
This does not necessarily mean the road will stay closed forever. It means there is currently no known date for reopening it.
Another example is:
“She plans to stay there indefinitely.”
This means she plans to stay there for an unknown amount of time. She may leave later, but she does not have a definite end date.
The word can therefore suggest either an uncertain duration or a duration that has no fixed limit.
Indefinitely in Simple Words
In simple English, indefinitely can often be understood as:
“for now, with no known end date.”
Depending on the situation, it may also mean:
- for an unknown time
- for an unlimited time
- without a set ending
- until further notice
For example, if a company says:
“The service is suspended indefinitely.”
A simple way to understand this is:
“The service is suspended, and we do not know when it will return.”
This is why indefinitely is common in announcements. It gives information about the situation without promising a specific future date.
How to Use Indefinitely in a Sentence
Indefinitely usually comes after the verb or near the part of the sentence it describes.
For example:
“The meeting was postponed indefinitely.”
Here, indefinitely tells us how long the postponement will last.
You can also use it with words such as remain, continue, stay, postpone, delay, and suspend.
Examples include:
“The museum will remain closed indefinitely.”
“The project has been delayed indefinitely.”
“The workers decided to continue the strike indefinitely.”
“The policy will remain in effect indefinitely.”
In each sentence, the word shows that there is no clear or fixed ending point.
Real-Life Examples of Indefinitely
Here are some natural examples of how people use indefinitely in everyday situations.
Example 1: A business closure
“The restaurant is closed indefinitely because of the building repairs.”
This means the restaurant has closed, but there is no known reopening date.
Example 2: A postponed event
“The concert has been postponed indefinitely.”
The concert will not happen on the planned date, and a new date has not been set.
Example 3: A work situation
“I may need to work from home indefinitely.”
The speaker expects to work from home for an unknown period.
Example 4: A personal situation
“He decided to stay with his family indefinitely.”
He does not have a specific date for leaving.
Example 5: A service suspension
“The website will be unavailable indefinitely.”
There is no confirmed date for when the website will become available again.
These examples all share the same basic idea: the end date is unknown or not fixed.
Indefinitely vs. Temporarily
Indefinitely and temporarily can sometimes seem similar, but they are not exactly the same.
Temporarily means something is not permanent and will last for a limited period. It often suggests that the situation will eventually end, even if the exact date is unknown.
Indefinitely focuses more strongly on the fact that there is no known or fixed end date.
| Word | Basic meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Indefinitely | For an unknown or unlimited period | “The office is closed indefinitely.” |
| Temporarily | For a limited period, not permanently | “The office is temporarily closed.” |
| Permanently | Forever or with no plan to change | “The office is permanently closed.” |
For example, saying “temporarily closed” often suggests that the business expects to reopen. Saying “closed indefinitely” means there is no confirmed reopening date.
Indefinitely vs. Definitely
One of the most common mistakes is confusing indefinitely with definitely. They look and sound similar, but their meanings are very different.
Definitely means certainly, without doubt, or surely.
Indefinitely means for an unknown or unlimited amount of time.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Definitely | Certainly; without doubt | “I will definitely call you.” |
| Indefinitely | For an unknown amount of time | “The project is delayed indefinitely.” |
Consider these two sentences:
“I will definitely go.”
This means the person is certain they will go.
“I will stay indefinitely.”
This means the person will stay for an unknown amount of time.
A simple memory trick is that definitely is about certainty, while indefinitely is about time.
Is Indefinitely the Same as Forever?
No, indefinitely does not always mean forever.
When something lasts forever, it has no end at all. When something lasts indefinitely, the end is unknown or there is no fixed limit.
For example:
“The building will remain closed indefinitely.”
This does not prove that the building will never reopen. It only tells us that there is currently no known reopening date.
Therefore, it is usually safer to understand indefinitely as “for an unknown amount of time” rather than automatically translating it as “forever.”
Is Indefinitely Positive, Negative, or Neutral?
Indefinitely is a neutral word. It does not automatically express a positive or negative feeling.
Its meaning depends on the situation.
For example:
“She plans to travel indefinitely.”
This could be exciting or positive.
But:
“The repairs have been delayed indefinitely.”
This may be disappointing or frustrating.
The word itself simply describes the uncertain length of time.
Common Mistakes With Indefinitely
A common mistake is using indefinitely when you actually mean definitely.
For example:
“I will indefinitely be there.”
If you mean “I will certainly be there,” the correct word is definitely.
Another mistake is assuming that indefinitely always means forever. It usually means that the ending is unknown, not necessarily that there will never be an ending.
People may also confuse indefinitely with temporarily. While both can describe something that is not permanent, indefinitely emphasizes that the end date is unknown.
Synonyms and Related Words for Indefinitely
The best synonym depends on the sentence, but several expressions can communicate a similar idea.
Useful alternatives include:
- Without a set end date
- For an unknown period
- Until further notice
- For an unlimited time
- Without a fixed limit
- For the foreseeable future
These expressions are related but are not always perfect replacements.
For example, “until further notice” is especially common in announcements, while “for the foreseeable future” usually means for as long as can reasonably be predicted.
When Should You Use Indefinitely?
Use indefinitely when you want to explain that something will continue for an uncertain amount of time.
It works especially well in situations involving:
- closures
- delays
- suspensions
- postponements
- work arrangements
- travel plans
- rules or policies
- personal decisions
- ongoing situations
The word is common in both everyday and formal English.
For casual conversation, you might say:
“I don’t know how long I’ll stay.”
In a more formal setting, you could say:
“I plan to remain there indefinitely.”
Both communicate a similar idea, but the second sounds more formal and concise.
FAQs About Indefinitely Meaning
What is the simple meaning of indefinitely?
Indefinitely means for an unknown or unlimited amount of time. It usually means that there is no specific date for something to end.
Does indefinitely mean forever?
Not necessarily. Indefinitely means the ending is unknown or not fixed, while forever means something has no end.
What does “closed indefinitely” mean?
Closed indefinitely means something is closed with no confirmed reopening date. It does not necessarily mean that it will stay closed forever.
What is the difference between definitely and indefinitely?
Definitely means certainly or without doubt. Indefinitely means for an unknown or unlimited amount of time.
What is another word for indefinitely?
Depending on the context, alternatives include until further notice, for an unknown period, without a set end date, and for an unlimited time.
Is indefinitely a formal word?
Yes. Indefinitely is commonly used in both everyday and formal English. It is especially common in announcements, news, business, and official communication.
Conclusion
The word indefinitely means for an unknown or unlimited amount of time. It is used when something has no clear or fixed end date, such as a closure, delay, suspension, or ongoing plan. It does not necessarily mean forever; it simply means that the ending is unknown or not set.
Remember the key difference between indefinitely and definitely: definitely is about certainty, while indefinitely is often about an uncertain period of time.
If you see a phrase such as “closed indefinitely” or “postponed indefinitely,” it means there is currently no confirmed date for the situation to end.
Understanding this distinction will help you use the word clearly and avoid one of the most common mistakes with these similar-looking terms.
Hi, I’m Mia Walker, a Content Research Writer at Hublioo.com with 3+ years of experience in creating educational language content.
I enjoy breaking down complex words, internet slang, abbreviations, and everyday expressions into clear, practical explanations that anyone can understand.
My focus is on delivering original, easy-to-read, and well-organized content that helps readers expand their vocabulary and use English with greater confidence.
