indeterminate Definition
- 1not exactly known, established, or defined
- 2not having a clear or definite shape or form
- 3mathematics: having an infinite number of solutions
Using indeterminate: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "indeterminate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The cause of the problem is still indeterminate.
Example
The painting has an indeterminate quality that makes it difficult to classify.
Example
The equation is indeterminate and has no unique solution.
indeterminate Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for indeterminate
- uncertain
- indefinite
- vague
- ambiguous
- undefined
Antonyms for indeterminate
Phrases with indeterminate
a prison sentence that does not have a fixed length
Example
The judge gave him an indeterminate sentence of up to 10 years.
a mathematical expression that cannot be evaluated without further information
Example
The limit of the function is an indeterminate form.
a type of inflammatory bowel disease that cannot be classified as either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
Example
The patient was diagnosed with indeterminate colitis after several tests.
Origins of indeterminate
from Latin 'indeterminatus', meaning 'not determined'
Summary: indeterminate in Brief
The term 'indeterminate' [ˌɪndɪˈtɜːmɪnət] refers to something that is not clearly known, established, or defined. It can also describe something that lacks a clear or definite shape or form, or in mathematics, a problem that has an infinite number of solutions. Examples include 'The cause of the problem is still indeterminate,' and 'The equation is indeterminate and has no unique solution.'
