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
1
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."
2
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more indecisive
- Superlative
- most indecisive
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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."
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for indecisive
See all rhymes for indecisive →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.
