infinity
Americannoun
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the quality or state of being infinite.
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something that is infinite.
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infinite space, time, or quantity.
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an infinite extent, amount, or number.
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an indefinitely great amount or number.
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Mathematics.
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the assumed limit of a sequence, series, etc., that increases without bound.
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infinite distance or an infinitely distant part of space.
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Photography.
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a distance between a subject and the camera so great that rays of light reflected from the subject may be regarded as parallel.
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a distance setting of the camera lens beyond which everything is in focus.
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noun
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the state or quality of being infinite
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endless time, space, or quantity
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an infinitely or indefinitely great number or amount
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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
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physics a dimension or quantity of sufficient size to be unaffected by finite variations
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maths the concept of a value greater than any finite numerical value
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a distant ideal point at which two parallel lines are assumed to meet
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” ( 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."
Vocabulary lists containing infinity
Words from "The Avengers"
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Brown Girl Dreaming
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Lyrics from "Umbrella" by Rihanna
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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.
However, last month Disney announced the launch of Infinity Vision, a direct competitor to IMAX.
From Barron's • May 22, 2026
Zampella, a formative figure in the modern gaming scene, co-founded the original “Call of Duty” studio Infinity Ward in 2002 with Jason West and former creative partner Grant Collier.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026
Exploration firm Ocean Infinity, based in Britain and the United States, led the search which concluded on January 23.
From Barron's • Mar. 8, 2026
Nixon said that his automated AI research startup, Infinity Artificial Intelligence Institute, uses seven or eight different models, including OpenAI and Anthropic products for different purposes, and open-source Chinese models.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026
I turn off the Xbox Infinity, where Cove has respawned, all limbs together as if he didn’t just explode minutes ago.
From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera
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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.