What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
undetermined
Example
The date for the meeting is still undetermined. [undetermined: adjective]
Example
She was undetermined about which college to attend. [undetermined: adjective]
Example
The value of x in the equation is still undetermined. [undetermined: adjective]
indeterminate
Example
The length of the project is indeterminate at this point. [indeterminate: adjective]
Example
The exact amount of rainfall is indeterminate due to the changing weather conditions. [indeterminate: adjective]
Example
The meaning of the poem is indeterminate and open to interpretation. [indeterminate: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Undetermined is more commonly used than indeterminate in everyday language. Undetermined is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while indeterminate is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between undetermined and indeterminate?
Both undetermined and indeterminate are formal words that are appropriate for academic or technical writing. However, indeterminate may have a more technical or scientific connotation due to its use in mathematics and other fields.
