indeterminate
adjective
in·de·ter·mi·nate ˌin-di-ˈtər-mə-nət 
-ˈtərm-nət
1
a
: not definitely or precisely determined or fixed : vague
b
: not known in advance
c
: not leading to a definite end or result
2
: having an infinite number of solutions
a system of indeterminate equations
3
: being one of the seven undefined mathematical expressions {latex}\\frac{0}{0}, \\frac{\\infty}{\\infty}, \\infty \\cdot 0, 1^{\\infty}, 0^{0}, \\infty^{0}, \\infty - \\infty{/latex}
4
: characterized by sequential flowering from the lateral or basal buds to the central or uppermost buds
also : characterized by growth in which the main stem continues to elongate indefinitely without being limited by a terminal inflorescence compare determinate sense 4
indeterminately adverb
indeterminateness noun
indetermination
ˌin-di-ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən
noun 
Did you know?
When you determine something, you decide on what it is, which means you put limits or boundaries on its identity. So something indeterminate lacks identifying limits. A mutt is usually the product of indeterminate breeding, since at least the father's identity is generally a mystery. A painting of indeterminate origins is normally less valued than one with the painter's name on it. And if negotiations are left in an indeterminate state, nothing has been decided.
Example Sentences
an indeterminate number of people
Recent Examples on the Web Plastic bags and mattresses and garbage and fishing nets in which large squidlike creatures were entangled could be seen floating on the river, along with odd-looking substances of an indeterminate color. 
Ben Okri, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2022 Elba speaks with a slight accent of indeterminate origin. Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Aug. 2022 On its current, indeterminate course, the Mar-a-Lago investigation is pushing the American politics back to obsessing over Mr. Trump and his endless enemies, such as the primary-election defeat of his Inspector Javert, Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney. Daniel Henninger, WSJ, 17 Aug. 2022 The plants are indeterminate and can be ready for harvest in as little as 60 days (for transplants) to 105 days (for seeds). Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2022 Once a subsistence farm for its hardscrabble owners, the nearly three-acre property the couple bought included an 1840s cottage, a one-room cabin of indeterminate age and the two-story villa, built by white-glove buyers in 1911. Sarah Medford, WSJ, 28 July 2022 The vision of what happens to Hoover Dam in some indeterminate future, when the federal government is divesting itself of its assets, who would buy it? Nick Romano, EW.com, 27 June 2022 The mysterious, indeterminate nature of quantum causation is said to solve puzzles such as the foundations of consciousness and the possibility of free will, as well as vindicate dubious practices such as telekinesis and homeopathy. Julian Baggini, WSJ, 10 Aug. 2022 The next scene takes place at some indeterminate future point, but Kim isn't in it and neither is Jimmy, really. Kat Rosenfield, EW.com, 19 July 2022 See More
Ben Okri, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2022 Elba speaks with a slight accent of indeterminate origin. Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Aug. 2022 On its current, indeterminate course, the Mar-a-Lago investigation is pushing the American politics back to obsessing over Mr. Trump and his endless enemies, such as the primary-election defeat of his Inspector Javert, Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney. Daniel Henninger, WSJ, 17 Aug. 2022 The plants are indeterminate and can be ready for harvest in as little as 60 days (for transplants) to 105 days (for seeds). Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2022 Once a subsistence farm for its hardscrabble owners, the nearly three-acre property the couple bought included an 1840s cottage, a one-room cabin of indeterminate age and the two-story villa, built by white-glove buyers in 1911. Sarah Medford, WSJ, 28 July 2022 The vision of what happens to Hoover Dam in some indeterminate future, when the federal government is divesting itself of its assets, who would buy it? Nick Romano, EW.com, 27 June 2022 The mysterious, indeterminate nature of quantum causation is said to solve puzzles such as the foundations of consciousness and the possibility of free will, as well as vindicate dubious practices such as telekinesis and homeopathy. Julian Baggini, WSJ, 10 Aug. 2022 The next scene takes place at some indeterminate future point, but Kim isn't in it and neither is Jimmy, really. Kat Rosenfield, EW.com, 19 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English indeterminat, from Late Latin indeterminatus, from Latin in- + determinatus, past participle of determinare to determine
First Known Use
1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Medical Definition
indeterminate
adjective
in·de·ter·mi·nate ˌin-di-ˈtərm-(ə-)nət
: relating to, being, or undergoing indeterminate cleavage
an indeterminate egg
indeterminately
adverb
as in vaguely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- vaguely
- nebulously
- narrowly
- imperfectly
- inadequately
- summarily
- sketchily
- shallowly
- randomly
- cursorily
- haphazardly
- aimlessly
- desultorily
- superficially
- hit or miss
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- systematically
- completely
- fully
- minutely
- sweepingly
- exhaustively
- totally
- thoroughly
- inside out
- comprehensively
- roundly
- microscopically
- meticulously
- intensively
- detailedly
- all out
- full blast
- through and through