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Indeterminate: meaning, definitions and examples

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indeterminate

 

[ɪnˈdɪˈtɜrmɪnət ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

mathematics

Not definitely or precisely determined or fixed.

Synonyms

uncertain, undecided, unsettled.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
indeterminate

Used to describe something that cannot be precisely determined or fixed. It often implies something that is not clearly defined or is vague.

  • The results of the experiment are indeterminate due to various external factors
  • The exact boundaries of the property are indeterminate
uncertain

Used when describing a situation, outcome, or future event that is not known or predictable. It is often used when there is doubt or lack of confidence.

  • The weather forecast is uncertain for the weekend
  • She felt uncertain about her decision to move abroad
undecided

Describes a person or situation that has not yet reached a decision. Often used when someone is still considering options or when a final decision has not been made.

  • He is still undecided about which college to attend
  • The court case remains undecided
unsettled

Describes a situation or person that is disturbed, not stable, or in a state of flux. It can also refer to someone feeling anxious or disturbed.

  • The political situation in the country is unsettled
  • She felt unsettled after hearing the bad news

Examples of usage

  • The outcome of the experiment is indeterminate.
  • The value of x in this equation is indeterminate.
  • The future of the project remains indeterminate.
Context #2 | Adjective

general

Not able to be definitely known or identified.

Synonyms

ambiguous, unclear, vague.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
indeterminate

Best used in formal or scientific contexts when something can't be definitely measured, calculated, or fixed.

  • The outcome of the experiment remains indeterminate.
  • The timeline for the project completion is still indeterminate.
unclear

Used in both formal and informal situations when something is not easy to understand or is not obvious.

  • The instructions were unclear and hard to follow.
  • His motives for helping were unclear.
vague

Used when something is not clearly expressed, defined, or can be easily understood. Often has a negative connotation.

  • She gave a vague response to the question.
  • The details of the contract were vague and confusing.
ambiguous

Used when something can be understood in more than one way and is not clear. Often used in literature, art, and everyday communication.

  • The ending of the movie was ambiguous.
  • Her answer was ambiguous, leaving us unsure of her true intentions.

Examples of usage

  • The identity of the mysterious person is indeterminate.
  • The cause of the problem remains indeterminate.
  • The exact time of the event is indeterminate.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'indeterminatus', which means 'not determined'.
  • It combines 'in-' (not) and 'determine', meaning unable to be defined.
  • It first appeared in English in the late 16th century.

Mathematics

  • In calculus, an indeterminate form occurs when the limit of an expression cannot be easily determined, like 0/0.
  • Indeterminate equations have more than one solution, making them complex to solve.
  • Certain mathematical functions can lead to indeterminate values based on the input given.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers often discuss concepts that are indeterminate, meaning they lack a fixed meaning or outcome.
  • Indeterminacy is crucial in discussions about free will, where outcomes of certain actions can’t be precisely predicted.
  • In existentialism, indeterminacy can relate to the ambiguity of human existence and choices.

Literature

  • Some literary works embrace indeterminate endings, leaving readers to interpret the conclusion themselves.
  • Authors may use indeterminate characters whose motivations and objectives remain unclear throughout the narrative.
  • The concept is often explored in modernist literature, which questions certainty and absolute truth.

Science

  • In quantum physics, indeterminacy refers to the inherent limitations in predicting certain particle behaviors.
  • The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle suggests that certain properties of particles cannot be known with precision.
  • Indeterminate states in biological systems highlight the unpredictability observed in genetic expressions.

Translations

Translations of the word "indeterminate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 indeterminado

🇮🇳 अनिश्चित

🇩🇪 unbestimmt

🇮🇩 tidak tentu

🇺🇦 невизначений

🇵🇱 nieokreślony

🇯🇵 不確定

🇫🇷 indéterminé

🇪🇸 indeterminado

🇹🇷 belirsiz

🇰🇷 불확정

🇸🇦 غير محدد

🇨🇿 neurčitý

🇸🇰 neurčitý

🇨🇳 不确定的

🇸🇮 nedoločen

🇮🇸 óákveðið

🇰🇿 анықталмаған

🇬🇪 გაურკვეველი

🇦🇿 müəyyən edilməmiş

🇲🇽 indeterminado

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,458, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.