What does indeterminacy mean?
Indeterminacy means the condition of being uncertain, ambiguous, or not finally settled. It can describe what we know, what we are able to decide, or the way an event may develop. Unlike a simple synonym such as uncertainty, the word often suggests a more formal or structured absence of definiteness: a situation may be indeterminate because the evidence is incomplete, because several interpretations remain possible, or because no outcome has yet been fixed. The noun is especially useful in academic and philosophical writing, where it describes limits on knowledge and the provisional nature of conclusions. It can also convey a more expansive uncertainty about the future, making it appropriate for literature and reflective prose. Related forms include the adjective indeterminate and the adverb indeterminately.
nounIndeterminacy is the state of being uncertain, ambiguous, or not definitively settled. It refers to the absence of a clear or conclusive outcome, especially in knowledge, decision-making, or interpretation.
- The condition of being uncertain, unsettled, or open to more than one interpretation.
"The indeterminacy of the early morning made it impossible to tell whether the approaching shape was a person or a tree."
"The researchers acknowledged the indeterminacy of the evidence rather than presenting it as conclusive."
"In the novel, the heroine's sense of indeterminacy reflects her uncertainty about both the past and her own future."
The plural is possible but uncommon in ordinary usage.
"The authors explored several sources of indeterminacies in the historical record."
Indeterminacy names the space between a clear answer and a confident guess.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does indeterminacy come from?
The word belongs to a family based on the Latin root determinare, meaning “to determine” or “to set bounds.” Its negative form reflects the absence of a definite boundary or conclusion. English developed several related terms from this root, including determinate, determinacy, and determination, as well as the negative derivative indeterminate and the noun indeterminacy. The formation is transparent in modern usage: something that is indeterminate has indeterminacy.
Related word forms
How indeterminacy is actually used
This is a formal and relatively uncommon noun. It is especially associated with philosophy, linguistics, mathematics, and discussions of uncertainty, rather than everyday conversation.
Easily confused with indeterminacy
Indeterminacy describes a condition or situation that is not settled or determinate, whereas indecision more specifically refers to difficulty or delay in choosing.
Indeterminacy is a broad condition of uncertainty or lack of conclusiveness, while ambiguity focuses more specifically on the possibility of multiple interpretations.