infinity

American  

[in-fin-i-tee] / ɪnˈfɪn ɪ ti /

noun

infinities plural

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.

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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

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infinity Scientific  

/ ĭn-fĭn′ĭ-tē /

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

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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.

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• infinities
  plural

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” ( see finish) + -tās -ty ²

Explanation

Infinity is forever. You might hope that your relationship with your high school boyfriend will last into infinity, but, realistically, you know that's not likely to happen. You've probably come across infinity in mathematics — a number, like pi, for instance, that goes on and on, symbolized as ∞. Astronomers talk about the infinity of the universe, and religions describe God as infinity. A more earthbound example is an infinity pool — a swimming pool designed to trick the eye and look like it doesn't have an edge, so the water goes on forever. You may know the Latin phrase ad infinitum, which means "and on and on."

Example Sentences

The paradox arises only if we insist on describing horizons using a single, one-sided arrow of time extrapolated to infinity — an assumption quantum mechanics itself does not require.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2026

When exploring the watersheds east of Cuzco, Peru, he writes, Miller was “overawed by the tropical forest canopy stretching to infinity before him.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

There are five infinity fountains, also clad in carvings, punctuating the space while fragrant native plants perfume the warm, dry L.A. air, identified by information cards written in Halsey’s recognizable script.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

She added: "Your two sisters and big brother will always love and miss you to infinity... you will always and forever be in our hearts."

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

It is not so easy to reject both infinity and zero.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife