1
Core quality
Not exactly known, established, fixed, or capable of being determined from the available information.
Example
The manuscript's exact date remains indeterminate.
indeterminate
/ˌɪndɪˈtɜːmɪnət/ · in-dih-TUR-mih-nutadjective
Not exactly known, established, fixed, or capable of being determined from the available information.
Use indeterminate to express this relationship precisely: not exactly known, established, fixed, or capable of being determined from the available information.
What indeterminate Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
Damage made the original colour indeterminate.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
The trial ended with an indeterminate result.
Use indeterminate Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The manuscript's exact date remains indeterminate.
Damage made the original colour indeterminate.
The trial ended with an indeterminate result.
Precision Matters
Indeterminate overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
indeterminate
vs.Means not exactly known, established, fixed, or capable of being determined from the available information.
inconclusive
Means not providing enough evidence for a firm conclusion or definite result.
indeterminate
vs.Means not exactly known, established, fixed, or capable of being determined from the available information.
ambiguous
Means open to more than one reasonable interpretation.
indeterminate
vs.Means not exactly known, established, fixed, or capable of being determined from the available information.
equivocal
Means open to multiple interpretations or deliberately noncommittal.
indeterminate
vs.Means not exactly known, established, fixed, or capable of being determined from the available information.
unequivocal
Means completely clear and leaving no room for doubt.
Test indeterminate in Context
The intention cannot be established from the available evidence.
1
Because the relevant pages are missing, the author's precise intention is ___.