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Glite Dictionary
undefinable

undefinable

3 6.8
Hard to describe exactly in words
  • adjective
  • /ˌʌndɪˈfaɪnəbl/
translation icon : indefinible
  • The artist's latest painting evokes an undefinable emotion in all who see it.
  • undefinable quality
  • undefinable way

This this concept of an unconditional, undefinable love.

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Examples

  • True talent is a gift: ephemeral, elusive, undefinable, unteachable, unlearnable.

    Academic text (1991)

  • "And also that her work survives as a mysterious, undefinable force of art."

    Blog text (30)

  • We worked within a secret rapport, undefinable, so ask no name for it... and if you need a name, call it the arrangement of air.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • To gain educators' acceptance, we have to move beyond the notion that quality is undefinable and that "we know it when we see it."

    Academic text (1993)

  • Glimpsed almost in abstraction, it is a living terror, dark and undefinable.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • However, the different (and changing) political relationships within the two alliances leave the requirements for adequate security vague and undefinable.

    Academic text (1991)

  • She argued that the Spirit was wholly free, defying all human limitations, undefinable and uncontrollable.

    Academic text (1991)

  • Her style is so unique and undefinable that no one can truly replicate it.

  • What makes this song special is its undefinable quality that resonates with many listeners.

Synonyms

elusive
vsundefinable
52 7.0

Hard to understand or describe, like the meaning of a symbol

means impossible to describe or define precisely rather than merely difficult
indefinable
vsundefinable
4 6.9

Hard to describe or explain in words

is the same meaning but appears as the other common form
inexpressible
vsundefinable
3 7.5

A feeling so strong that you cannot describe it in words

focuses more on exact definition than on simple expression
unnameable
vsundefinable
1 7.8

Hard to describe in words

stresses inability to define precisely rather than just being nameless
unnamable
vsundefinable
1 7.7

Too hard to describe in words

emphasises precise exactness rather than merely lacking a name
unspecifiable
vsundefinable
8.5

Impossible to describe exactly

is used for things that cannot be defined precisely rather than vaguely

Antonyms

clear
∞ 1.0

Easy to understand and not confusing

definable
6 3.7

A thing you can describe clearly or show its clear limits

How Definable

clear
∞ 1.0
definable
6 3.7
vague
230 4.6
undefinable
3 6.8
indescribable
21 5.4

Surface Forms

undefinable positive

Morphology

undefinable = definable (transparent) = un + define + able

Formed by prefixing 'un-' to 'definable' (define + -able); the negated meaning is directly predictable from its parts.

Etymology

Undefinable starts with un- meaning 'not' and the part define, which comes from a root meaning 'limit' or 'end', as in final or finish. So undefinable is something you cannot give a clear limit to or describe in exact words.