indeterminacy

UK: /ˌɪndɪˈtɜːmɪnəsɪ/

US: /ˌɪndɪˈtɝmənəsi/

US: (in′di tûr′mə nə sē)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•de•ter•mi•na•cy  (in′di tûr′mə nə sē), n. 

1. the condition or quality of being indeterminate;
   indetermination.

• indetermin(ate) + -acy 1640–50

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•de•ter•mi•nate /ˌɪndɪˈtɜrmənɪt/   adj. 

1. not precisely fixed or determined:
   an indeterminate shape in the distance.
2. not settled in advance:
   The acting principal will serve for an indeterminate time.

in•de•ter•mi•na•cy /ˌɪndɪˈtɜrmənəsi/  n. [uncountable]
in•de•ter•mi•nate•ly, adv. 
in•de•ter•mi•nate•ness, n. [uncountable]
in•de•ter•mi•na•tion /ˌɪndɪˌtɜrməˈneɪʃən/  n. [uncountable] See -term-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•de•ter•mi•nate  (in′di tûr′mə nit), adj. 

1. not determinate;
   not precisely fixed in extent;
   indefinite;
   uncertain.
2. not clear;
   vague.
3. not established.
4. not settled or decided.
5. [Math.]
   • Mathematics (of a quantity) undefined, as 0/0.
   • Mathematics (of an equation) able to be satisfied by more than one value for each unknown.
6. Botany (of an inflorescence) having the axis or axes not ending in a flower or bud, thus allowing further elongation.

n. 

7. Mathematics something whose value is not specified: used esp. in abstract algebra;
   a variable.

• Late Latin indēterminātus. See in-³, determinate
• Middle English 1350–1400

in′de•ter′mi•nate•ly, adv. 
in′de•ter′mi•nate•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. ambiguous.