infinitive

1 of 2

adjective

in·fin·i·tive in-ˈfi-nə-tiv

: formed with the infinitive

infinitively adverb

infinitive

2 of 2

: a verb form normally identical in English with the first person singular that performs some functions of a noun and at the same time displays some characteristics of a verb and that is used with to (as in "I asked him to go") except with auxiliary and various other verbs (as in "no one saw him leave")

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This substitution of the conjunction and for the to that is part of an infinitive verb happens almost exclusively with the verb try.

Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Nov. 2020

Noun

James Tiberius Kirk used to boldly go where no one has gone before — and never apologized for splitting the infinitive.

Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, 23 Apr. 2022 To love, synonymous with to be, a defective verb that only knows the present infinitive.

Claudio Magris, Harper's Magazine, 25 May 2021 Shakespeare split just one infinitive, the King James Bible none.

The Economist, 26 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'infinitive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English infinityf, borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French infinitif, borrowed from Late Latin infīnītīvus, from Latin infīnītus "not specified, indefinite, of a verbal form that does not specify person or number" + -īvus -ive — more at infinite entry 1

Noun

borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French infinitif, borrowed from Medieval Latin infīnītīvus, noun derivative of Late Latin infīnītīvus infinitive entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of infinitive was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century