Indeterminate
/ˌɪndɪˈtɜrmɪnət/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Indeterminate describes things that are not clearly defined or decided. It means the exact details, limits, or results are unknown or cannot be fixed. This word is often used when something cannot be measured or decided exactly.
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See It in Action
Not clearly fixed, decided, or known
- •The length of the project is indeterminate because it depends on many factors.
- •The results of the test were indeterminate and need more analysis.
- •The boundaries of the property are indeterminate and require measurement.
In mathematics or science, not having a definite value or limit
- •The equation has an indeterminate form that needs special methods to solve.
- •The scientist said the data was indeterminate and inconclusive.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "indeterminate" like "not sure," but more formal and about exact details or limits
- ✓Picture a line drawn in the sand that fades away—no clear end or start, just uncertain edges
- ✓It's the feeling when you wait for an answer but the answer is unclear or unfinished
- ✓Sounds like "in-deter-MIN-it" → imagine something that does NOT have a definite MINimum or maximum point
- ✓Imagine a foggy morning where you cannot see how far the road goes—everything is unclear and undefined
- ✓NOT like "fixed" (clear and decided), indeterminate means open or unknown
- ✓NOT like "approximate" (close but with an idea), indeterminate means no clear idea at all
- ✓NOT like "decided" (final choice), indeterminate means still open or not settled
Try Other Words
- •Uncertain: not known or decided (Use when talking about feelings or general situations)
- •Undefined: not clearly described or explained (Use when talking about limits or boundaries)
- •Unknown: not known or familiar (Use when the information is missing or hidden)
- •Vague: not clear or detailed (Use when something is unclear because of lack of detail)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "in-" (not) + root: "determine" (to decide or fix) + suffix: "-ate" (makes adjective)
- •Origin: From Latin "determinare" meaning to limit or decide, with "in-" making it negative
- •First used in English in the 1600s to mean not clearly fixed or decided
- •Now used in many fields like science, math, and everyday language to describe unclear or unknown situations
Reflect & Connect
•Can something be both indeterminate and important at the same time? How do we handle unclear situations that matter?
•How does the idea of indeterminate limits or results affect decision-making in your life or work?
Fill in the blanks
1.The exact time of the meeting is indeterminate because it depends on everyone's ___.
2.When results are indeterminate, scientists often need to ___ more tests.
3.Unlike a fixed number, an indeterminate value cannot be ___ easily.
4.The indeterminate shape of the cloud made it hard to ___ what it looked like.
5.Sometimes, people feel anxious when their future is indeterminate and ___.
6.In math, an indeterminate form means the answer cannot be found without ___.
7.The boundaries of the land were indeterminate, so the neighbors had to ___ them carefully.