indeterminate

adjective

in·​de·​ter·​mi·​nate ˌin-di-ˈtər-mə-nət 

-ˈtərm-nət

1

a

: not definitely or precisely determined or fixed : vague

… after some time, —a very indeterminate time,—…, he would write the great things …

—Jack London

b

: not known in advance

their future is indeterminate

c

: not leading to a definite end or result

an indeterminate debate

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.

Examples of indeterminate in a Sentence

an indeterminate number of people

Recent Examples on the Web

Firmly anchored in an otherwise indeterminate space, the totem seems to express a yearning for transcultural commonality. —Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 2 May 2026

Compact determinate tomato varieties, such as ‘Patio’, require much less space than a vigorous indeterminate grape tomato, such as ‘Valentine’. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 May 2026

Far from Hegseth’s predictions of a quick, decisive win, the Iran war has now drifted into a costly, indeterminate muddle. —Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026

Certain statutes explicitly appeal to what’s reasonable—exasperating those who find the standard hopelessly indeterminate. —Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026

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

Kids Definition

indeterminate

adjective

in·​de·​ter·​mi·​nate ˌin-di-ˈtərm-(ə-)nət 

1

: not clearly or exactly decided : vague

indeterminate plans

2

: not leading to a clear end or result

indeterminately adverb

indeterminateness noun

Medical Definition

indeterminate

adjective

in·​de·​ter·​mi·​nate ˌin-di-ˈtərm-(ə-)nət 

: relating to, being, or undergoing indeterminate cleavage

an indeterminate egg