indistinct

[ in-di-stingkt ]

adjective

1. not distinct; not clearly marked or defined:

   indistinct markings.

2. not clearly distinguishable or perceptible, as to the eye, ear, or mind:

   He heard an indistinct muttering.

   Synonyms: dim, clouded

3. not distinguishing clearly:

   After the accident he suffered from indistinct vision and faulty hearing.

indistinct

/ ˌɪndɪˈstɪŋkt /

adjective

1. incapable of being clearly distinguished, as by the eyes, ears, or mind; not distinct

Derived Forms

• ˌindisˈtinctly, adverb
• ˌindisˈtinctness, noun

Other Words From

• indis·tinctly adverb
• indis·tinctness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of indistinct¹

From the Latin word indistinctus, dating back to 1520–30. See in- ³, distinct

Example Sentences

It's one of life's most defining moments -- that crucial step in embryonic development, when an indistinct ball of cells rearranges itself into the orderly three-layered structure that sets the stage for all to come.

From Science Daily

The ceremony was being livestreamed on YouTube, where it was reported that muffled, indistinct noise could be heard on the broadcast.

From Los Angeles Times

In the color variant, much of the space is taken up by a blank blue sky and the visitors are indistinct, so that the comedy is drained.

From New York Times

On the map, the far northwest corner was labeled “terra incognita” with borders trailing off into an indistinct mist and sea monsters lurking in the curling waves.

From Seattle Times

This galaxy, AzTECC71, was first detected as an indistinct blob of dust emission by a camera on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope in Hawaii that sees in wavelengths between far infrared and microwave.

From Science Daily