Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not yet decided or settled: Refers to something that has not been brought to a conclusion or is still subject to further thought or decision.
   • Not precisely known, established, or fixed: Describes something that is not clearly defined, measured, or identified; it may be vague, uncertain, or variable.
   • Not yet ascertained or identified: Used for things whose specific nature, type, or details have not been discovered or confirmed.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The cause of the malfunction remains undetermined. (The specific reason has not been found or decided.)
  • Our travel plans for the summer are still undetermined. (They are not yet settled or fixed.)
  • She gazed at the undetermined shape in the distance. (The shape was not clear or identifiable.)

Advanced Usage

• In formal or technical contexts: Often used in scientific, legal, or academic writing to describe variables, outcomes, or classifications that are not yet known or decided.
  • The species of the fossil is undetermined pending further analysis.
• To describe an open-ended state: Emphasizes a lack of finality or resolution.
  • The negotiations left several key issues undetermined.

Variants and Related Words

• Indeterminate (adj): Similar in meaning, often used interchangeably with "undetermined" to describe something not fixed or precisely known. ()
• Undecided (adj): More commonly used for matters of choice or opinion that are not yet settled. ()
• Unresolved (adj): Stresses that a problem or conflict has not been solved. ()

Synonyms

• Uncertain: Not able to be relied on; not known or definite.
• Unsettled: Not resolved or concluded.
• Unspecified: Not stated clearly or exactly.
• Ambiguous: Open to more than one interpretation; not having one obvious meaning.

Antonyms

• Determined: Having a firm decision or a clearly defined nature.
• Definite: Clearly stated or decided; not vague.
• Certain: Known for sure; established beyond doubt.
• Resolved: Settled or found a solution to.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Leave something undetermined: To intentionally not decide or settle something.
  • The committee chose to leave the final budget undetermined until the next meeting.
• Of undetermined origin: A common phrase used when the source or beginning of something is unknown.
  • The artifact is of undetermined origin.

Adjective

1. not brought to a conclusion; subject to further thought
   • an open question
   • our position on this bill is still undecided
   • our lawsuit is still undetermined
2. not precisely determined or established; not fixed or known in advance
   • of indeterminate age
   • a zillion is a large indeterminate number
   • an indeterminate point of law
   • the influence of environment is indeterminate
   • an indeterminate future
3. not yet having been ascertained or determined
   • of undetermined species