adj

indecisive

ihn-dih-SEYE-sihv

Indecisive (adj) means Unable or unwilling to make a decision quickly. Example: “He was too indecisive to pick a restaurant, so we ended up standing outside for twenty minutes.”

adj

Unable or unwilling to make a decision quickly.

"He was too indecisive to pick a restaurant, so we ended up standing outside for twenty minutes."

"The manager's indecisive leadership left the team unsure of the plan."

Of an event or contest, not settling anything; inconclusive.

"The battle was indecisive, with both sides claiming a partial victory."

How to use indecisive

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishStruggling to make up your mind, or (for events) not producing a clear result.

Common pairings

notoriously indecisive an indecisive battle feel indecisive about something

Word forms

more indecisive comparative, most indecisive superlative

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He was too _____ to pick a restaurant, so we ended up standing outside for twenty minutes.

Etymology

From in- ("not") + decisive, ultimately from Latin decidere, "to cut off, settle."

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for indecisive

five give dive live olive drive alive strive derive active arrive native

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Frequently asked questions

What does “indecisive” mean?

The word “indecisive” means unable or unwilling to make a decision quickly. In plain terms, struggling to make up your mind, or (for events) not producing a clear result.

How do you pronounce “indecisive”?

“Indecisive” is pronounced ihn-dih-SEYE-sihv (/ˌɪndɪˈsaɪsɪv/ in IPA).

How do you use “indecisive” in a sentence?

Here is “indecisive” used in a sentence: “He was too indecisive to pick a restaurant, so we ended up standing outside for twenty minutes.”

What part of speech is “indecisive”?

“Indecisive” is an adjective.

Where does the word “indecisive” come from?

The word “indecisive” comes from Latin. From in- ("not") + decisive, ultimately from Latin decidere, "to cut off, settle.".

How many meanings does “indecisive” have?

“Indecisive” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: unable or unwilling to make a decision quickly.