Undecided: meaning, definitions and examples

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undecided

[ˌʌndɪˈsaɪdɪd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

state of mind

Not having made a decision or not being able to decide between two or more options.

Synonyms

hesitant, indecisive, uncertain, wavering.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
undecided	Use this word when someone has not yet made a final decision about something, often because they are considering multiple options. She is still undecided about which college to attend. The jury remains undecided on the verdict.
indecisive	Often used negatively, this word describes someone who struggles to make decisions, frequently wavering back and forth without coming to a conclusion. He is so indecisive that it takes him hours to choose a meal from the menu. Her indecisive nature makes it hard for the team to move forward.
uncertain	This word refers to a state of having doubts or lacking assurance about something, often because of insufficient information or clarity. I feel uncertain about my future career path. The weather forecast is uncertain for the weekend.
hesitant	This word is typically used when someone is pausing or reluctant to make a decision or take action, often because of doubt or fear. He was hesitant to ask her out on a date. She seemed hesitant before signing the contract.
wavering	Usually with a slightly negative tone, this word describes someone who is changing their mind or opinion back and forth or is not steady in their decisions. His wavering support for the project made it difficult to proceed. She stood wavering at the crossroads, unable to decide which path to take.

Examples of usage

I am still undecided about which university to attend.
She was feeling undecided about her future career path.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

result

Not having a clear result or outcome.

Synonyms

inconclusive, undetermined, unresolved.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
undecided	Use this word when someone has not yet made a decision or choice. It often refers to a person who is still thinking about their options. She is still undecided about which college to attend. The voters are undecided about the candidate they prefer.
undetermined	Use undetermined when something has not been decided or established yet, often referring to facts, measurements, or statuses that are still unknown. The cause of the fire is still undetermined. The final date for the event remains undetermined.
unresolved	This word is suitable for situations where a problem or conflict has not yet been settled or solved. It often implies that there is some tension or need for resolution. The issue between the two departments remains unresolved. There are still unresolved questions regarding the project.
inconclusive	This word is best used when results, discussions, or evidence do not lead to a definitive conclusion or outcome. It can refer to experiments, studies, or meetings that did not reach a final result. The results of the experiment were inconclusive. Despite hours of discussion, the meeting ended inconclusive.

Examples of usage

The game ended in an undecided score, leading to a tie.
The committee remained undecided on the issue after hours of discussion.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'undecided' comes from the prefix 'un-', meaning 'not', and 'decided', which is from Latin 'decidere', meaning 'to cut off or decide'.
Its use in English dates back to the 18th century, indicating a clear shift in language as people began discussing individual choice more openly.

Psychology

Decisions can trigger anxiety; being 'undecided' often stems from the fear of making the wrong choice.
Research shows that people may feel overwhelmed when faced with too many options, leading to indecisiveness.

Pop Culture

The concept of being undecided is often portrayed in movies, where characters must choose between love interests or career paths.
In modern politics, undecided voters can influence election outcomes, highlighting the power of choice in society.

Literature

Many literary characters grapple with being undecided, showcasing the inner conflict that drives narratives and character development.
Classic literature explores themes of indecision, like Hamlet's famous dilemma, showing how uncertainty can lead to tragic outcomes.

Decision-Making Strategies

There are techniques, like listing pros and cons, that help individuals move from being undecided to making confident choices.
'Decision fatigue' is a real phenomenon where too many choices lead to difficulty in making any choice at all.

Translations

Translations of the word "undecided" in other languages:

🇵🇹 indeciso

🇮🇳 अनिर्णीत

🇩🇪 unentschieden

🇮🇩 ragu-ragu

🇺🇦 невизначений

🇵🇱 niezdecydowany

🇯🇵 未決定

🇫🇷 indécis

🇪🇸 indeciso

🇹🇷 kararsız

🇰🇷 결정되지 않음

🇸🇦 غير محدد

🇨🇿 nerozhodnutý

🇸🇰 nerozhodnutý

🇨🇳 未决定

🇸🇮 neodločen

🇮🇸 óákveðinn

🇰🇿 шешілмеген

🇬🇪 გადაუწყვეტელი

🇦🇿 qərarsız

🇲🇽 indeciso

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,019, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
17016 mysteriously
17017 methodical
17018 demonstrative
17019 undecided
17020 dehydrated
17021 colt
17022 wrappers
...