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indefinably

indefinably

7.5
In a way you cannot clearly describe
  • adverb
  • /ˌɪndɪˈfaɪnəbli/
translation icon : indefiniblemente
  • It was like a roar in the desert that came in potent gusts, hysterical, with something indefinably painful.

Examples

  • Indefinably," Paul replied.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • These guys really get rock music; there's something indefinably effortlessly cool about their sound. Deerhunter makes me feel like I'm a teenager again hearing My Bloody Valentine or the Stone Roses for the first time.

    Blog text (16)
  • There is something indefinably different about her smile that makes it captivating.

  • He felt indefinably anxious before his presentation, unsure of how it would go.

  • The painting was indefinably beautiful, evoking feelings that were hard to express.

Synonyms

inexplicably
vsindefinably
29 6.9

In a way that cannot be explained or understood

is about being hard to put into clear words rather than lacking a clear reason
unspeakably
vsindefinably
8 6.8

Very much in a way that is hard to describe

focuses on being hard to give a clear account rather than mainly strong feeling
indescribably
vsindefinably
4 6.5

In a way that is so strong it is hard to put into words

focuses on being hard to give a clear account rather than only lacking words
incomprehensibly
vsindefinably
2 8.0

It is very hard to understand

focuses on being hard to put into clear words rather than on lack of sense
unfathomably
vsindefinably
1 8.2

In a way that is so great it cannot be understood or believed

refers to depth or size that is hard to put into words
inexpressibly
vsindefinably
1 7.7

Very much in a way that words cannot describe

focuses on being hard to pin down rather than only lacking words
unutterably
vsindefinably
1 8.1

So strong that you cannot find words to describe it

is about being hard to say clearly rather than only intense feeling
ineffably
vsindefinably
  • Formal
1 9.8

So great that you cannot find words to describe it

means difficulty giving a clear account rather than sheer extreme size
indeterminably
vsindefinably
8.4

You cannot know the exact meaning or result

focuses on being hard to put into clear words rather than precise measurement

Antonyms

881 1.0

In a way that is easy to see, hear, or understand

How Definable

precisely
124 3.7
clearly
1.0
approximately
524 3.2
roughly
373 1.6
vaguely
115 3.9
indefinably
7.5

Surface Forms

indefinably positive

Morphology

indefinably = indefinable (transparent) = in + define + able + ly

The adverb is formed regularly from the adjective 'indefinable' with '-ly', and its meaning is directly predictable.

Etymology

The word indefinably comes from in- meaning 'not' and define meaning 'to describe or set limits', the same root you see in define and definite. So indefinably means 'in a way that cannot be clearly described', like a feeling you notice but cannot put into words.