undefined

[ uhn-di-fahynd ]

adjective

1. without fixed limits; indefinite in form, extent, or application:

   undefined authority; undefined feelings of sadness.

2. not given meaning or significance, as by a definition; not defined or explained:

   an undefined term.

undefined

/ ˌʌndɪˈfaɪnd /

adjective

1. not defined or made clear

   the job has remained undefined

Derived Forms

• ˌundeˈfinable, adjective

Other Words From

• un·de·fin·ed·ly [uhn-di-, fahy, -nid-lee, -, fahynd, -], adverb
• unde·fined·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of undefined¹

First recorded in 1605–15; un- ¹ + define ( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

But experts say that this time, Mrs Trump will likely be more deliberate with her approach to the largely undefined role of being America’s First Lady.

From BBC

"Liminal spaces are transitional or transformative spaces that are neither here nor there; they are the in-between places or thresholds we pass through from one area to another," the article explains, citing University of Missouri professor Dr. Timothy Carson who uses the pandemic as an example of how a person can dip into them, referring to it as an "involuntary social liminality, a time/space that was full of uncertainty and ambiguity, all the landmarks gone, the future undefined."

From Salon

Last week we noted that Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, between hurricanes Helene and Milton, was pushing the idea that an undefined “they” could be enhancing and steering hurricanes to damage Republican areas of the country.

From Slate

According to Greene, an undefined “they”—who, if we’re being generous, is meant to be the Democrats, the deep state, or the “establishment”—“can control the weather.”

From Slate

In a 3-2 vote last month, the Georgia Election Board, led by allies of former President Donald Trump, passed a rule that allows county election board members to conduct an undefined "reasonable inquiry" into election results before certifying them.

From Salon

Related Words

• ambiguous
• fuzzy
• unclear