adjective
indistinct
ihn-dihs-TIHNGKT
Indistinct (adjective) means not clear or sharply defined; faint or blurred. Example: “The old photograph showed only an indistinct outline of a house.”
adjective
1
Not clear or sharply defined; faint or blurred.
"The old photograph showed only an indistinct outline of a house."
2
Hard to make out because it is muffled, slurred, or otherwise unclear to the ear.
"His speech was indistinct after the dental surgery."
How to use indistinct
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBlurry or unclear — whether you're looking at it or listening to it.
Common pairings
indistinct murmur
indistinct shape
indistinct memory
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more indistinct
- Superlative
- most indistinct
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old photograph showed only an _____ outline of a house.
Etymology
From Middle French indistinct, from Latin indistinctus, built from in- (\"not\") plus distinct.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for indistinct
See all rhymes for indistinct →Frequently asked questions
What does “indistinct” mean?
The word “indistinct” means not clear or sharply defined; faint or blurred. In plain terms, blurry or unclear — whether you're looking at it or listening to it.
How do you pronounce “indistinct”?
“Indistinct” is pronounced ihn-dihs-TIHNGKT (/ˌɪndɪsˈtɪŋkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “indistinct” in a sentence?
Here is “indistinct” used in a sentence: “The old photograph showed only an indistinct outline of a house.”
What is another word for “indistinct”?
Words with a similar meaning to “indistinct” include dim, fuzzy, hazy, ill-defined, ill-marked and indefinite.
What is the opposite of “indistinct”?
The opposite of “indistinct” — its antonyms — are distinct, clear, defined, sharp and transparent.
What part of speech is “indistinct”?
“Indistinct” is an adjective.
Where does the word “indistinct” come from?
The word “indistinct” comes from Latin. From Middle French indistinct, from Latin indistinctus, built from in- (\"not\") plus distinct.
How many meanings does “indistinct” have?
“Indistinct” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not clear or sharply defined; faint or blurred.
