# infinite

/ˈɪnfənət/ (US) · /ˈɪnfɪnət/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/infinite
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. without limits

adjective · CEFR B2

having no end or limit in space, time, or size.

For teachers: limitless or boundless in space, extent, or size; impossible to measure or calculate.

- The night sky looked like an infinite sea of stars stretching forever.
- Philosophers have long debated whether the universe is truly infinite or merely so vast that it exceeds human comprehension.

### 2. mathematical quantity

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

greater than any number you can think of.

For teachers: greater than any assignable quantity or countable magnitude.

- There is an infinite number of points on any straight line.
- The set of all integers is infinite, yet it is considered a smaller infinity than the set of all real numbers.

### 3. very great or intense

adjective · CEFR B2

extremely large or great in amount or degree.

For teachers: used for emphasis to describe a quality that is extremely great or seemingly inexhaustible.

- The teacher showed infinite patience while explaining the difficult rule again.
- The project required infinite attention to detail, as even a minor calculation error could compromise the structural integrity of the bridge.

### 4. grammar

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

describing a verb form that does not show a specific person or time.

For teachers: referring to verb forms, such as infinitives or participles, that are not limited by person, number, or tense.

- In the sentence 'I want to go', 'to go' is an infinite verb form.
- The distinction between finite and infinite verb phrases is fundamental to understanding clausal subordination in English syntax.

### 5. the concept of no end

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

space or time that has no boundaries.

For teachers: that which is infinite; an abstract space, time, or quantity without end.

- The explorers stared out into the infinite of the deep ocean.
- The poet attempted to capture the sublime feeling of standing before the infinite, where the horizon offers no visual resolution.

## Examples

- The universe seems to be infinite.
- The scientist explained that while the number of stars is huge, it is not actually infinite.
- Philosophers have long debated whether the human mind can truly grasp the concept of an infinite expanse, given our own finite existence and limited sensory perception.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.