B2 noun Literary

boundless

/ˈbaʊnd.ləs/

Describes something that is seemingly infinite or without limits, often used to characterize abstract qualities such as energy, enthusiasm, or potential. It suggests a vastness that cannot be measured or contained by physical or conceptual boundaries.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The children spent the afternoon running around the garden with boundless energy.

The kids played in the yard with a supply of energy that never seemed to run out.

2

We owe a debt of boundless gratitude to the volunteers who worked tirelessly during the flood.

We feel an immeasurable sense of thankfulness toward the people who helped during the natural disaster.

3

My appetite for spicy food is pretty much boundless; I can never get enough.

I have an unlimited craving for hot food and I always want more.

Word Family

Noun
boundlessness
Adverb
boundlessly
Adjective
boundless
Related
boundary
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Memory Tip

Think of the word 'bound' as a fence or a boundary. The suffix '-less' means without. So, 'boundless' is something without a fence—it can go anywhere!

Quick Quiz

The young entrepreneur's _______ optimism helped her overcome every obstacle in her path.

Correct!

The correct answer is: boundless

Examples

1

The children spent the afternoon running around the garden with boundless energy.

everyday

The kids played in the yard with a supply of energy that never seemed to run out.

2

We owe a debt of boundless gratitude to the volunteers who worked tirelessly during the flood.

formal

We feel an immeasurable sense of thankfulness toward the people who helped during the natural disaster.

3

My appetite for spicy food is pretty much boundless; I can never get enough.

informal

I have an unlimited craving for hot food and I always want more.

4

Theoretical physics often deals with the boundless nature of the universe and its expansion.

academic

Scientific studies frequently explore how the universe is infinite and continues to grow without end.

5

The CEO believes the new tech sector offers boundless opportunities for investors.

business

The company leader thinks this new market provides limitless chances for people to make money.

Word Family

Noun
boundlessness
Adverb
boundlessly
Adjective
boundless
Related
boundary

Common Collocations

boundless energy having a supply of strength that never ends
boundless enthusiasm showing extreme and unlimited excitement
boundless potential having the capacity to achieve anything without limits
boundless curiosity possessing an unending desire to learn or know things
boundless imagination having a creative mind that knows no limits

Common Phrases

boundless horizon

a view of the sky and land that seems to go on forever

boundless joy

a feeling of great happiness that has no end

boundless ambition

a desire to succeed that is not restrained by anything

Often Confused With

boundless vs bound

'Bound' usually means tied or restricted, whereas 'boundless' means the exact opposite—having no restrictions.

boundless vs endless

While similar, 'endless' is often used for time or physical length, while 'boundless' is preferred for abstract qualities like potential or spirit.

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Usage Notes

Use 'boundless' primarily when you want to praise someone's positive qualities, like their energy or optimism. It sounds more poetic and literary than 'limitless' or 'infinite'.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use 'boundless' to describe a very long physical distance, such as a road; 'endless' or 'vast' is usually a better fit for physical objects.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'bound' as a fence or a boundary. The suffix '-less' means without. So, 'boundless' is something without a fence—it can go anywhere!

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Middle English word 'bounde' (meaning a limit or landmark) combined with the Old English suffix '-leas' (meaning without).

Grammar Patterns

Used as an attributive adjective before a noun (e.g., boundless energy). Can be used as a predicative adjective after a linking verb (e.g., Her potential is boundless).
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Cultural Context

In English literature, 'boundless' is frequently used in Romantic poetry to describe the awe-inspiring scale of nature and the human spirit.

Quick Quiz

The young entrepreneur's _______ optimism helped her overcome every obstacle in her path.

Correct!

The correct answer is: boundless

Related Words

cause

A1

To make something happen, especially something bad or unpleasant. It is used to describe the action that results in a specific effect or situation.

through

A1

Used to describe moving from one side of an opening, area, or object to the other side. It can also refer to the period of time from the beginning to the end of an event.

effective

A2

Something is effective when it successfully produces the intended or desired result. It describes a person, method, or thing that works well and achieves its goal.

epic

A1

A long book, poem, or movie that tells a story about heroes and great events. It usually covers a long period of time and many adventures.

robotics

B2

The branch of technology and engineering that deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots. It is a multidisciplinary field combining computer science, electronics, and mechanical engineering to create autonomous or semi-autonomous machines.

dean

B2

A dean is a high-ranking official at a university or college who oversees a specific department, faculty, or administrative area. They are responsible for academic leadership, managing faculty members, and ensuring the general welfare of students within their division.

decade

B2

A period of ten years, typically used to measure time or categorize a specific historical era. It is a common unit of time used to track social, economic, or personal changes over a significant duration.

enable

B2

To provide someone with the means, authority, or opportunity to do something. It also means to make a process or a system possible or operational.

mature

B2

Describing someone who behaves in a sensible, responsible way like an adult, or something that has reached a state of full development. It is often used to describe people, plants, or economic markets that are no longer growing rapidly but are stable.

scheme

B2

A systematic plan or arrangement for attaining a particular object or putting an idea into effect. It can also refer to a secretive or devious plot to achieve a goal, often used to describe government programs or organizational systems.

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