indistinct

American  

[in-di-stingkt] / ˌɪn dɪˈstɪŋkt /

adjective

1. not distinct; not clearly marked or defined.

   indistinct markings.

2. not clearly distinguishable or perceptible, as to the eye, ear, or mind.

   He heard an indistinct muttering.

   Synonyms:

   dim, clouded

3. not distinguishing clearly.

   After the accident he suffered from indistinct vision and faulty hearing.

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indistinct British  

/ ˌɪndɪˈstɪŋkt /

adjective

1. incapable of being clearly distinguished, as by the eyes, ears, or mind; not distinct

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Other Word Forms

• indistinctly adverb
• indistinctness noun

Etymology

Origin of indistinct

From the Latin word indistinctus, dating back to 1520–30. See in- ³, distinct

Example Sentences

But across their indistinct black-and-white faces she used red thread to stitch a representation of the paths they followed from Eritrea to the U.K.

From The Wall Street Journal

Yet from that painful personal source emerges something unfortunately indistinct, as though softly blanketed by the snow that sifts slowly down during this holiday drama.

From The Wall Street Journal

The photo we see today is grainy and indistinct.

From BBC

When he finally opened his eyes, his language was minimal: a few indistinct words — possibly English, possibly Spanish — and nothing that sounded like a name.

From Los Angeles Times

It's one of life's most defining moments -- that crucial step in embryonic development, when an indistinct ball of cells rearranges itself into the orderly three-layered structure that sets the stage for all to come.

From Science Daily