without fixed limits; indefinite in form, extent, or application
undefined authority
undefined feelings of sadness
2.
not given meaning or significance, as by a definition; not defined or explained
an undefined term
Derived forms
undefinedly (ˌundɪˈfainɪdli, -ˈfaind-)
adverb
undefinedness
noun
Word origin
[1605–15; un-1 + defined]This word is first recorded in the period 1605–15. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: classic, ferrule, independent, inverse, seriesun- is a prefix meaning “not,” freely used as an English formative, giving negative oropposite force in adjectives and their derivative adverbs and nouns (unfair; unfairly; unfairness; unfelt; unseen; unfitting; unformed; unheard-of; un-get-at-able), and less freely used in certain other nouns (unrest; unemployment)
Examples of 'undefined' in a sentence
undefined
A pain starts up in him, lonely and stark, the possibility of something, undefined hope.
Sara MacDonald SEA MUSIC (2003)
Independence is a vague idea that, left undefined, covers a range of current ailments.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But just where the threat came from remains undefined.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
They are undefined, so you've no idea what to do.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But at work, with undefined boundaries and relationships, it can cause problems.
The Sun (2012)
And in the middle, a great undefined mass he felt free to ignore.
The Sun (2016)
More than 1,240 serving life - or undefined terms - were moved in 2013.
The Sun (2014)
Democracy, for example, has become a 'totally vague, undefined catchphrase', he says.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
Synonyms of 'undefined'
unspecified, indefinite, indeterminate, vague
indistinct, blurred, vague, obscure
More Synonyms of undefined
1 (adjective)
a strict guarantee to hold prices for an undefined period
Synonyms
unspecified
They were arrested on unspecified charges.
indefinite
a person of indefinite age
indeterminate
I hope to carry on for an indeterminate period.
vague
His description of the events was very vague.
unclear
unsettled
woolly
It is no good setting vague, woolly goals – we need a specific aim.
unexplained
imprecise
The charges were vague and imprecise.
non-specific
undetermined
inexact
Forecasting was an inexact science.
unspecific
unfixed
Opposites
exact
,
precise
,
specified
,
clear
,
defined
,
explicit
,
determinate
,
clear
,
defined
,
definite
2 (adjective)
blurry lines and undefined borders
Synonyms
indistinct
The lettering is fuzzy and indistinct.
blurred
blurred black and white photographs
vague
He could just make out a vague shape in the distance.
obscure
The hills were just an obscure shape in the mist.
dim
His torch picked out the dim figures.
shadowy
the shadowy shape of a big barge loaded with logs
indefinite
misty
The air was cold and misty.
hazy
The air was filled with hazy sunshine and frost.
indistinguishable
blurry
nebulous
We glimpsed a nebulous figure through the mist.
formless
Large formless images rushed across the screen.
barely perceptible
Additional synonyms
in the sense of blurred
blurred black and white photographs
Synonyms
indistinct,
faint,
vague,
unclear,
dim,
fuzzy,
misty,
hazy,
foggy,
blurry,
out of focus,
ill-defined,
lacking definition
in the sense of dim
Definition
not clearly seen
His torch picked out the dim figures.
Synonyms
unclear,
obscured,
faint,
blurred,
fuzzy,
shadowy,
hazy,
indistinguishable,
bleary,
undefined,
out of focus,
ill-defined,
indistinct,
indiscernible
in the sense of formless
Definition
without a definite shape or form
Large formless images rushed across the screen.
Synonyms
shapeless,
amorphous,
nebulous,
unformed,
vague,
indefinite,
incoherent,
disorganized,
inchoate
Nearby words of
undefined
undecipherable
undefended
undefiled
undefined
undemonstrative
undeniable
undependable
Synonyms of 'undefined'
undefined
Explore 'undefined' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of hazy
Definition
(of the sky or a view) unable to be seen clearly because of dust or heat
The air was filled with hazy sunshine and frost.
Synonyms
misty,
faint,
dim,
dull,
obscure,
veiled,
smoky,
cloudy,
foggy,
overcast,
blurry,
nebulous
in the sense of imprecise
Definition
inexact or inaccurate
The charges were vague and imprecise.
Synonyms
indefinite,
estimated,
rough,
vague,
loose,
careless,
ambiguous,
inaccurate,
sloppy (informal),
woolly,
hazy,
indeterminate,
wide of the mark,
equivocal,
ill-defined,
inexact,
inexplicit,
blurred round the edges
in the sense of indefinite
Definition
vague or unclear
a person of indefinite age
Synonyms
unclear,
unknown,
uncertain,
obscure,
doubtful,
ambiguous,
indeterminate,
imprecise,
undefined,
ill-defined,
indistinct,
undetermined,
inexact,
unfixed
in the sense of indeterminate
Definition
left doubtful
I hope to carry on for an indeterminate period.
Synonyms
uncertain,
indefinite,
unspecified,
vague,
inconclusive,
imprecise,
undefined,
undetermined,
inexact,
unfixed,
unstipulated
in the sense of inexact
Definition
not exact or accurate
Forecasting was an inexact science.
Synonyms
imprecise,
inaccurate,
indefinite,
indeterminate,
off,
incorrect
in the sense of misty
The air was cold and misty.
Synonyms
foggy,
unclear,
murky,
fuzzy,
obscure,
blurred,
vague,
dim,
opaque,
cloudy,
hazy,
overcast,
bleary,
nebulous,
indistinct
in the sense of nebulous
We glimpsed a nebulous figure through the mist.
Synonyms
obscure,
vague,
dim,
murky,
shadowy,
cloudy,
misty,
hazy,
amorphous,
indeterminate,
shapeless,
indistinct,
unformed
in the sense of obscure
Definition
unclear or indistinct
The hills were just an obscure shape in the mist.
Synonyms
indistinct,
vague,
blurred,
dark,
clouded,
faint,
dim,
gloomy,
veiled,
murky,
fuzzy,
shadowy,
cloudy,
misty,
hazy,
indistinguishable,
indeterminate,
dusky,
undefined,
out of focus,
ill-defined,
obfuscated,
indiscernible,
tenebrous
in the sense of shadowy
Definition
faint or dark like a shadow
the shadowy shape of a big barge loaded with logs
Synonyms
vague,
indistinct,
faint,
ghostly,
obscure,
dim,
phantom,
imaginary,
unreal,
intangible,
illusory,
spectral,
undefined,
nebulous,
dreamlike,
impalpable (formal),
unsubstantial,
wraithlike
in the sense of unclear
Synonyms
indistinct,
weak,
obscure,
faint,
blurred,
vague,
dim,
fuzzy,
shadowy,
muffled,
misty,
hazy,
indistinguishable,
bleary,
undefined,
out of focus,
ill-defined,
indiscernible
Additional synonyms
in the sense of vague
Definition
not expressed or explained clearly
His description of the events was very vague.
Synonyms
unclear,
indefinite,
hazy,
confused,
loose,
uncertain,
doubtful,
unsure,
superficial,
incomplete,
woolly,
imperfect,
sketchy,
cursory
in the sense of vague
Definition
(of a sound or shape) unable to be heard or seen clearly
He could just make out a vague shape in the distance.
Synonyms
indistinct,
blurred,
unclear,
dim,
fuzzy,
unknown,
obscure,
faint,
shadowy,
indefinite,
misty,
hazy,
indistinguishable,
amorphous,
indeterminate,
bleary,
nebulous,
out of focus,
ill-defined,
indiscernible
in the sense of woolly
Definition
confused or indistinct
It is no good setting vague, woolly goals – we need a specific aim.