indeterminate

adjective

in·​de·​ter·​mi·​nate ˌin-di-ˈtər-mə-nət How to pronounce indeterminate (audio)
-ˈtərm-nət
1
a
: not definitely or precisely determined or fixed : vague
b
: not known in advance
c
: not leading to a definite end or result
2
: having an infinite number of solutions
a system of indeterminate equations
3
: being one of the seven undefined mathematical expressions {latex}\frac{0}{0}, \frac{\infty}{\infty}, \infty \cdot 0, 1^{\infty}, 0^{0}, \infty^{0}, \infty - \infty{/latex}
4
: characterized by sequential flowering from the lateral or basal buds to the central or uppermost buds
also : characterized by growth in which the main stem continues to elongate indefinitely without being limited by a terminal inflorescence compare determinate sense 4
indeterminately adverb
indeterminateness noun
indetermination noun

Did you know?

When you determine something, you decide on what it is, which means you put limits or boundaries on its identity. So something indeterminate lacks identifying limits. A mutt is usually the product of indeterminate breeding, since at least the father's identity is generally a mystery. A painting of indeterminate origins is normally less valued than one with the painter's name on it. And if negotiations are left in an indeterminate state, nothing has been decided.

Examples of indeterminate in a Sentence

an indeterminate number of people
Recent Examples on the Web Her most characteristic tone is beguilingly indeterminate: a new kind of song pleasure, mixing distance and intimacy. Elizabeth Barber, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024 Jonathan Betts shared his unlikely discovery — more than 20 bones of an at-first indeterminate mammal — with his followers on TikTok, and his videos have since garnered nearly 1.5 million views. Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 22 Jan. 2024 Rather than a potent cacophony of indeterminate extractions that build a solid wall of bitter, nonalcoholic bitters are mellow, with more discernible notes. Allison Robicelli, Washington Post, 3 Jan. 2024 Their narrator, Joseph, is of indeterminate and changeable age, generally a young boy or a teen-ager. Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2023 On the other hand, Meredith Marks losing the Award for Colloquial Excellence doesn’t augur well for Napoleon, as the voting public doesn’t appear to be that into indeterminate Europeanish accents. Vulture, 6 Nov. 2023 Kids have been locked alone in a cell here more often than other facilities in the state, sometimes as punishment, and sometimes for an indeterminate length of time. Paige Pfleger, ProPublica, 16 Nov. 2023 Another spinoff, which added a slice of indeterminate cheese and a few strips of chewy bacon, was even more of a mish-mashed mess. Emily Heil, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2023 Stays were no longer an indeterminate length, and attorneys were appointed to represent patients. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'indeterminate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English indeterminat, from Late Latin indeterminatus, from Latin in- + determinatus, past participle of determinare to determine

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of indeterminate was in 1603

Dictionary Entries Near indeterminate

Cite this Entry

“Indeterminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indeterminate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

indeterminate

adjective
in·​de·​ter·​mi·​nate ˌin-di-ˈtərm-(ə-)nət How to pronounce indeterminate (audio)
1
: not clearly or exactly decided : vague
indeterminate plans
2
: not leading to a clear end or result
indeterminately adverb
indeterminateness noun

Medical Definition

indeterminate

adjective
in·​de·​ter·​mi·​nate ˌin-di-ˈtərm-(ə-)nət How to pronounce indeterminate (audio)
: relating to, being, or undergoing indeterminate cleavage
an indeterminate egg

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