indefinite pronoun

American  

noun

Grammar.

1. a pronoun, as English some, any, somebody, that leaves unspecified the identity of its referent.

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indefinite pronoun British  

noun

1. grammar a pronoun having no specific referent, such as someone, anybody, or nothing

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Etymology

Origin of indefinite pronoun

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

Quotes attributed to Jefferson that use contractions and "you" as an indefinite pronoun are usually fishy to Anna Berkes, research librarian at the Jefferson Library at Monticello.

From Time

The book’s answer is presumably that the indefinite pronoun “somebody” is always singular.

From Time

The latter is, however, no necessary part of the form, as it is dropped when the verb is governed by a noun, and can always be replaced by prefixing the indefinite pronoun.

From Project Gutenberg

The word "one" of course as used by you is an indefinite pronoun referring to some person, but it would seem, as it is used from week to week, that you use it in a belittling sense.

From Time Magazine Archive

Note 2.—Many numerals, otherwise indeclinable, are used in the genitive plural with the indefinite pronoun sum, which then means one of a certain number.

From Project Gutenberg