indeterminate

American  

[in-di-tur-muh-nit] / ˌɪn dɪˈtɜr mə nɪt /

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 British  

/ 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 Scientific  

/ ĭn′dĭ-tûr′mə-nĭt /

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.

---

Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• indeterminately
  adverb
• indeterminacy
  noun
• indeterminateness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of indeterminate

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

Explanation

Indeterminate means not known or decided. When someone contracts a rare stomach parasite but has not been traveling internationally, you might say it had indeterminate origins. It's important to distinguish indeterminate from undetermined, which means not yet decided. When you buy an antique vase and don't know when it dates from, you might describe it as of an indeterminate era. If you are traveling and don't know when you plan to return home, you could say that your return is as yet undetermined.

Example Sentences

The war’s effects on opportunistic aggression are indeterminate at best.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

The president, played by a breathy, beleaguered Idris Elba and known only by his call sign, “Icon,” is of indeterminate party and ideology.

From Slate • Mar. 13, 2026

He was handed down an indeterminate prison sentence with a minimum tariff of five years.

From BBC • Oct. 16, 2024

It took Viola’s atmospheric soundscape of indeterminate voices and noises to make them miraculous.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 16, 2024

It all glowed invitingly in the flicker of gaslight lamps, a world away from the oily stews of indeterminate origin I’d been choking down at the Priest Hole.

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs