Infinity Definition & Meaning

American

British

Scientific

Usage

Etymology

Examples

Synonyms infinity American [in-fin-i-tee] / ɪnˈfɪn ɪ ti /

noun

plural

infinities

1. the quality or state of being infinite.

2. something that is infinite.

3. infinite space, time, or quantity.

4. an infinite extent, amount, or number.

5. an indefinitely great amount or number.

6. Mathematics.

   1. the assumed limit of a sequence, series, etc., that increases without bound.

   2. infinite distance or an infinitely distant part of space.

7. Photography.

   1. a distance between a subject and the camera so great that rays of light reflected from the subject may be regarded as parallel.

   2. a distance setting of the camera lens beyond which everything is in focus.

infinity British / ɪnˈfɪnɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being infinite

2. endless time, space, or quantity

3. an infinitely or indefinitely great number or amount

4. optics photog a point that is far enough away from a lens, mirror, etc, for the light emitted by it to fall in parallel rays on the surface of the lens, etc

5. physics a dimension or quantity of sufficient size to be unaffected by finite variations

6. maths the concept of a value greater than any finite numerical value

7. a distant ideal point at which two parallel lines are assumed to meet

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 infinity Scientific / ĭn-fĭn′ĭ-tē /

1. A space, extent of time, or quantity that has no limit.

Usage

What is the infinity symbol? The infinity symbol, a figure eight on its side ∞, variously signifies the concept of limitlessness or eternity, especially as used notationally in mathematics and metaphorically with respect to love.

Etymology

Origin of infinity

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English infinite, from Latin infīnitās, from in- in- 3 + fīni(s) “boundary, end, highest point” ( finish ) + -tās -ty 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The modern home in Hollywood Hills, complete with an infinity pool overlooking the city, rented for $33,000 for seven nights from June 15 to 22.

From Los Angeles Times

Of course, not every PG movie goes to infinity and beyond.

From The Wall Street Journal

My dashiki is curled around my neck like an infinity scarf.

From Literature

It could only fall to zero, but it could rise to infinity.

From Literature

With a budget of “$350 million to infinity,” the pseudo-twins set to work adding as much gold as possible to the presidential home.

From Salon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.