indeterminate

[in-di-tur-muh-nit]

adjective

1. not determinate; not precisely fixed in extent; indefinite; uncertain.

2. not clear; vague.

   Synonyms: ambiguous

3. not established.

4. not settled or decided.

5. Mathematics.

   1. (of a quantity) undefined, as 0/0.

   2. (of an equation) able to be satisfied by more than one value for each unknown.

6. Botany.,  (of an inflorescence) having the axis or axes not ending in a flower or bud, thus allowing further elongation.

noun

1. Mathematics.,  something whose value is not specified: used especially in abstract algebra; a variable.

indeterminate

/ ˌɪndɪˈtɜːmɪnɪt /

adjective

1. uncertain in extent, amount, or nature

2. not definite; inconclusive

   an indeterminate reply

3. unable to be predicted, calculated, or deduced

4. physics (of an effect) not obeying the law of causality; noncausal

5. maths

   1. having no numerical meaning, as 0.00 or 0/0

   2. (of an equation) having more than one variable and an unlimited number of solutions

6. botany another word for indefinite

7. (of a structure, framework, etc) comprising forces that cannot be fully analysed, esp by vector analysis

indeterminate

1. Continuing to grow at the apical meristem or the terminal bud indefinitely, allowing for the development of an ever-increasing number of plant organs such as leaves, stems, or flowers to the side.

Other Word Forms

• indeterminately adverb
• indeterminateness noun
• indeterminacy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of indeterminate¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Late Latin word indēterminātus. See in- ³, determinate

Example Sentences

They said his aim seems to have been "to kill an indeterminate number of people".

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The state has indeterminate sentencing, which is given in a range of years rather than a fixed number.

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Utah has an indeterminate sentencing, meaning it is given in a range of years rather than a fixed number.

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Harley is a rescue hound, of indeterminate but clearly mixed breed, who is given to leaping in the air to snap at moths and making vain but enthusiastic attempts to catch lizards.

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However, Blank said the power to determine when the last possible opportunity to implement maps resides with the courts, meaning that the actual timeline for a successful quorum break is indeterminate.

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When To Use

What does indeterminate mean?

Indeterminate describes something that is not precisely fixed or is uncertain, as in Sonya felt really frustrated with her boss’s indeterminate standards for evaluating her work.Indeterminate also describes something that is vague or unclear, as in The indeterminate costs for replacing the school led voters to choose repairing the school instead.Indeterminate is also used to describe something not established or settled, as in After surgery, Nikki will have to spend an indeterminate amount of time resting and healing.Example: Carly’s lab results were indeterminate, so the doctor wants to do more tests.