indefinable
4
6.9
- adjective
- /ˌɪndɪˈfaɪnəbl/
:
indefinible
- The artist's work has an indefinable quality that captivates everyone who sees it.
- indefinable terms
I think what's more profound, because it's almost indefinable, is the interplay, the kind of drama of all these ideas and the sort of suspension.
- I think what's more profound, because it's almost indefinable, is the interplay, the kind of drama of all these ideas and the sort of suspension.
Examples
-
For a moment, they looked at each other; something indefinable struggled for expression through their eyes.
Fiction book (1996) -
lt seemed our lives had been linked in some indefinable way.
-
But what it all comes down to is that thing: the indefinable thing when people catch something from your music.
-
For me, it's something completely indefinable.
-
Today, woman has her independence: man looks at her as his equal, and something indefinable stands between them.
Academic text (1994) -
There was an indefinable sense of weakness about his mouth.
Fiction book (1998) -
My eyes are focused on his face, on the raw desire battling with some indefinable thought.
Fiction book (1998) -
Izzy had that certain indefinable thing.
-
You've got that indefinable something.
-
There had been an indefinable moment when my heart hesitated.
Fiction book (1998)
Synonyms
58
7.2
Too terrible to describe in words
21
5.4
So wonderful or strange that words cannot show it
8
9.5
So great that words cannot describe it
3
7.5
A feeling so strong that you cannot describe it in words
3
6.8
Hard to describe exactly in words
1
7.8
Hard to describe in words
1
8.9
Too great or strong to put into words
1
7.7
Too hard to describe in words
1
8.8
Something that a computer system cannot show or describe
Impossible to describe exactly
So great you cannot describe it in words
Antonyms
How Definable
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
The word indefinable starts with in- meaning 'not' and comes from define, which has the part fin meaning 'end' or 'limit', as in final or finish. So something indefinable is 'not' something you can put a clear limit on, and so you cannot describe it exactly.