Etymology Map
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Infinite

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means limitless

Where does the word "infinite" come from? It comes from Latin infinitus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
infinitus
Latin · ancient
"unbounded"
'in-', not, plus 'finis', end
2
Stage 2 of 3
infinit
Old French · medieval
"endless"
Latin 'infinitus' meant countless or numberless: 'in-' (not) plus 'finis' (end)
3
Stage 3 of 3
infinite
English · 1300s
"boundless"
the infinity symbol ∞ was introduced in 1655
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Read the full story

Infinite’s story begins in Latin: infinitus meant “unbounded.” 'in-', not, plus 'finis', end. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as infinit. Latin 'infinitus' meant countless or numberless: 'in-' (not) plus 'finis' (end). It reached English by 1300s as infinite. The infinity symbol ∞ was introduced in 1655. Today, infinite means limitless.