Infinite Meaning
/ˈɪnfɪnɪt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjIndefinably large, countlessly great; immense.
adjBoundless, endless, without end or limits; innumerable.
Sentence Examples
But the universe is infinite.
Without hesitating, the dean selects infinite wisdom.
The eternal silence of these infinite spaces terrifies me.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The number of stars in the universe appears ____ to the human eye when looking up at night.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The vast universe seems to stretch on for an ____ distance that we cannot truly imagine.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English infinite, from Old French infinit and its etymon Latin īnfīnītus, from in- (“not”) + fīnis (“end”) + the perfect passive participle ending -ītus. By surface analysis, in- + finite. Doublet of infinito. Displaced native Old English unġeendodlīċ.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The number is so infinite, that verily it would be an easier matter for me to reckon up those that have feared the same."
— 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 40, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book I, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:
"Whatever is finite, as finite, will admit of no comparative relation with infinity; for whatever is less than infinite is still infinitely distant from infinity; and lower than infinite distance the lowest or least cannot sink."
— 1735, Henry Brooke, Universal Beauty:
"infinite riches in a little room"
— c. 1589–1590 (date written), Christopher Marlo[we], edited by Tho[mas] Heywood, The Famous Tragedy of the Rich Iew of Malta. […], London: […] I[ohn] B[eale] for Nicholas Vavasour, […], published 1633, →OCLC, (please specify the page):
"which infinite calamity shall cause to human life"
— 1667, John Milton, “Book IX”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
"Great is our Lord, and of great power; his understanding is infinite."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalms 147:5:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The number of stars in the universe appears ____ to the human eye when looking up at night.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The vast universe seems to stretch on for an ____ distance that we cannot truly imagine.