How to pronounce indefinite
Say it like in-DEF-uh-nut. Indefinite has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (DEF).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce indefinite. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- DEF
- uh
- nut
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Indefinite pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- DEFSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nutKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of indefinite
American and British speakers say indefinite in essentially the same way: /ˌɪnˈdɛfənət/ in the US and /ˌɪnˈdɛfənət/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-DEF-uh-nut.
What does indefinite mean?
- Without limit; forever, or until further notice; not definite.“Your account will be suspended for an indefinite period of time.”
- Vague or unclear.“She gave an indefinite answer which nobody really understood.”
- Undecided or uncertain.“I'm still indefinite about what I'm going to study at college.”
- A word or phrase that designates an unspecified or unidentified person or thing or group of persons or things.
Where does indefinite come from?
Morphologically in- + definite.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying indefinite
How do you pronounce indefinite?
Say in-DEF-uh-nut. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnˈdɛfənət/. In British English it is /ˌɪnˈdɛfənət/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in indefinite?
Indefinite has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (DEF). Broken into parts: in · DEF · uh · nut.
Do Americans and Brits say indefinite the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪnˈdɛfənət/ and the British form is /ˌɪnˈdɛfənət/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.