adj
indeterminate
ihn-dih-TUR-mih-nuht
Indeterminate (adj) means not precisely known, fixed, or decided. Example: “The cause of the fire remains indeterminate.”
adj
1
Not precisely known, fixed, or decided.
"The cause of the fire remains indeterminate."
"The patient's age was listed as indeterminate on the old record."
2
Vague or unclear.
"His answer was indeterminate, leaving us none the wiser."
How to use indeterminate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUnclear, unfixed, or impossible to pin down exactly.
Common pairings
indeterminate cause
indeterminate sentence
remain indeterminate
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Word forms
- Plural
- indeterminates
- Comparative
- more indeterminate
- Superlative
- most indeterminate
Fill the gap
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The cause of the fire remains _____.
Etymology
From in- ("not") + determinate, from Latin determinare ("to limit, fix boundaries").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for indeterminate
See all rhymes for indeterminate →Frequently asked questions
What does “indeterminate” mean?
The word “indeterminate” means not precisely known, fixed, or decided. In plain terms, unclear, unfixed, or impossible to pin down exactly.
How do you pronounce “indeterminate”?
“Indeterminate” is pronounced ihn-dih-TUR-mih-nuht (/ɪndɪˈtɜː(ɹ)mɪnət/ in IPA).
How do you use “indeterminate” in a sentence?
Here is “indeterminate” used in a sentence: “The cause of the fire remains indeterminate.”
What is another word for “indeterminate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “indeterminate” include indeterminant.
What is the opposite of “indeterminate”?
The opposite of “indeterminate” — its antonyms — is determinate.
What part of speech is “indeterminate”?
“Indeterminate” is an adjective.
Where does the word “indeterminate” come from?
The word “indeterminate” comes from Latin. From in- ("not") + determinate, from Latin determinare ("to limit, fix boundaries").
How many meanings does “indeterminate” have?
“Indeterminate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not precisely known, fixed, or decided.
