indefinable

[ in-di-fahy-nuh-buhl ]

/ ˌɪn dɪˈfaɪ nə bəl /

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See synonyms for: indefinable / indefinably on Thesaurus.com

adjective

not definable; not readily identified, described, analyzed, or determined.

noun

something that cannot be defined: the indefinables of great musicianship.

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Origin of indefinable

First recorded in 1800–10; in-³ + definable

OTHER WORDS FROM indefinable

in·de·fin·a·ble·ness, nounin·de·fin·a·bly, adverb

Words nearby indefinable

in default of, indefeasible, indefectible, indefensible, in defiance of, indefinable, indefinite, indefinite article, indefinite integral, indefinitely, indefinite number

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use indefinable in a sentence

The story moves in lyrical waves, shifting in its opalescent, indefinable colors of feeling.
The Worst Person in the World Is a Gorgeous, Bittersweet—and Ruthless—Comedy|Stephanie Zacharek|February 4, 2022|Time
A picture that’s gorgeous to look at but too hyper-manicured to be genuinely moving, it hovers somewhere in an indefinable in-between.
Annette Is Gorgeous to Look at But All the Wrong Kinds of Weird|Stephanie Zacharek|August 6, 2021|Time
He had that indefinable sixth sense that distinguishes gifted warriors from good ones.
Mike Leach Tackles Geronimo the Motivational Murderer|James A. Warren|August 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He knew what was going on and he never, in my experience, took risk that was indefinable.
Former NYSE Chairman Grasso Speaks|Allan Dodds Frank|March 30, 2009|DAILY BEAST

And now there was added to this devotion an element of indefinable anxiety which made its vigilance unceasing.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
But the impression was so fleeting as to be indefinable, and soon I was busy getting everyone settled in the car.
Uncanny Tales|Various
In my dreams again and again an indefinable shadow mockingly comes and cries to me, he is not to be yours, he is to be mine.
The Fifth String |John Philip Sousa
There was in it the indefinable hardening and ageing which seemed to Boyson to have affected the whole personality.
Marriage la mode|Mrs. Humphry Ward
The features, he tells us, were distinguished neither by regularity nor classical beauty, but had an indefinable charm.
Frederick Chopin as a Man and Musician|Frederick Niecks

British Dictionary definitions for indefinable

indefinable

/ (ˌɪndɪˈfaɪnəbəl) /

adjective

incapable of being defined or analysedthere was an indefinable sense of terror

Derived forms of indefinable

indefinableness, nounindefinably, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

indefinable

Origin of indefinable

OTHER WORDS FROM indefinable

Words nearby indefinable

Words related to indefinable

How to use indefinable in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for indefinable

Derived forms of indefinable