adjective

indeterminate

in-di-TUR-muh-nuht/ˌɪndɪˈtɜːrmɪnət/

Not fixed or clearly known.

The spinning coin’s outcome remains indeterminate.

An indeterminate outcome shown by a coin still spinning on its edge, contrasted with two coins whose upward-facing sides are already settled.

Etymology

inLatinnot

+deLatinoff

+terminateLatinmark an end or boundary

Marking off boundaries developed into fixing or settling a matter. The negative prefix reverses that idea: something indeterminate has not been given definite limits or a settled answer.

In context

Inside Archaeology35:15

determining sex from just looking at the features of a skeleton, which can sometimes be misleading, not there, or indeterminate. Ancient DNA analysis can accurately determine both genetic sex and biological kinship

10 #Archaeology #Discoveries made in May 2026 #artifacts

More examples

The sample was of indeterminate origin.
His expression made his intentions indeterminate.
The investigation left the exact cause indeterminate.

Forms

indeterminate

Similar words

uncertain: Uncertain is not known for sure; indeterminate may lack a fixed value or limit altogether.
undefined: Undefined has not been specified; indeterminate can remain unresolved even after examination.