indistinct

adjective

in·​dis·​tinct ˌin-di-ˈstiŋ(k)t 

: not distinct: such as

a

: not sharply outlined or separable : blurred

indistinct figures in the fog

b

: faint, dim

an indistinct light in the distance

c

: not clearly recognizable or understandable : uncertain

indistinctly

ˌin-di-ˈstiŋ(k)t-lē 

-ˈstiŋ-klē

adverb

indistinctness

ˌin-di-ˈstiŋ(k)t-nəs 

-ˈstiŋk-nəs

noun

Synonyms

• vague
• faint
• hazy

Examples of indistinct in a Sentence

indistinct figures in the fog

managed to discern a blurry, indistinct shadow through the downpour

Recent Examples on the Web

And somehow that memory — faint and indistinct — might surpass anything Tim Burton might have been able to craft. —Rance Collins, IndieWire, 14 July 2025

But even that latter monster showed only a shimmering red blob of a planet with shifting, indistinct imagery. —Rod Pyle, Space.com, 14 July 2025

In years to come, the memories would have been indistinct. —Nick Miller, New York Times, 19 May 2025

Something similar could be said for the grainy, indistinct black-and-white photos of tortured and murdered prisoners, the shaky footage of work camps. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin indistinctus, from in- + distinctus distinct

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for indistinct

• interlinked
• blinked
• clinked
• inked
• kinked
• linked
• tinct
• winked
• distinct
• extinct
• hoodwinked
• precinct

Kids Definition

indistinct

adjective

in·​dis·​tinct ˌin-dis-ˈtiŋ(k)t 

: not distinct or clear

indistinct figures in the fog

a far-off indistinct light

indistinctly adverb

indistinctness noun