undefined

[uhn-di-fahynd]

adjective

1. without fixed limits; indefinite in form, extent, or application.

   undefined authority; undefined feelings of sadness.

2. not given meaning or significance, as by a definition; not defined or explained.

   an undefined term.

undefined

/ ˌʌndɪˈfaɪnd /

adjective

1. not defined or made clear

   the job has remained undefined

Other Word Forms

• undefinable adjective
• undefinedly adverb
• undefinedness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of undefined¹

First recorded in 1605–15; un- ¹ + define ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

It was held, even in the South, to be a regrettable evil which the slave states would eventually abolish or allow to die out in some undefined way.

From Salon

But experts say that this time, Mrs Trump will likely be more deliberate with her approach to the largely undefined role of being America’s First Lady.

From BBC

The first rule allows county election officials to conduct a “reasonable inquiry” — an undefined term — before certifying the results of an election.

From Salon

After the bid, a previously undefined range of food practices carried out by millions of people was reduced to a single meal which includes a serve of white rice with multiple side dishes.

From Salon

The undefined “glitch” led to a drop in the electrical power that strips electrons from neutral xenon gas atoms and accelerates the resulting positive ions to produce thrust far more efficiently than chemical rockets.

From Science Magazine

Related Words

• ambiguous 
• fuzzy 
• unclear