Infinity
/ɪnˈfɪnəti/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe state or quality of having no limit or end in space, time, or magnitude; the immeasurably or indefinitely great.
/ɪnˈfɪnəti/
The state or quality of being infinite.
The universe is believed by some to be infinite.
💡 Simply: Think of it like this: imagine you're counting, and you can *never* stop. That's infinity! It's like the biggest number you can't even imagine, or a space that never ends.
👶 For kids: A very, very, very long time or a very, very, very big number that never ends.
More Examples
Her love for her children is infinite.
The possibilities for innovation seem infinite.
How It's Used
"Mathematicians study the properties of infinity."
"The concept of infinity has been debated by philosophers for centuries."
"The universe may be infinite, or it may be finite but unbounded."
An indefinitely great number or amount.
/ɪnˈfɪnəti/
The number of stars in the night sky seems like an infinity.
💡 Simply: Imagine a whole lot of something that is more than you can even think about. It's like saying 'a whole bunch' of something, but a SUPER-duper-sized 'whole bunch'.
👶 For kids: A super big amount that you can't even count.
More Examples
There is an infinity of choices to make.
How It's Used
"There are an infinity of stars in the night sky."
"The possibilities for that invention seem an infinity."
Idioms & expressions
to the nth degree
To an extreme or very great extent.
"He was bored to the nth degree."
going on forever
Continuing for an unlimited or seemingly unlimited time.
"The meeting seemed to be going on forever."
From Late Latin *infinitas*, from Latin *infinitus* 'unlimited', from *in-* 'not' + *finitus* 'limited, finished'.
The concept of infinity has been explored in philosophy and mathematics for centuries, with the word itself appearing in English from the 14th century.
Memory tip
Imagine a number line extending forever in both directions—that’s infinity!
Word Origin
"not limited"