indefinable

adjective

in·​de·​fin·​able ˌin-di-ˈfī-nə-bəl How to pronounce indefinable (audio)
: incapable of being precisely described or analyzed
indefinable feelings
an indefinable concept
indefinability noun
indefinable noun
indefinableness noun
indefinably adverb

Examples of indefinable in a Sentence

He has an indefinable quality that draws people to him. some indefinable quality makes that movie star very appealing
Recent Examples on the Web The Coens are true American classics, indefinable and incomparable. Tim Moffatt, EW.com, 26 Jan. 2024 Pitt, at the time, was in his early 30s and gaining notice for being incredibly handsome and in possession of the indefinable charisma that makes a movie star. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2024 Patinkin, in an indefinable accent, is his usual Big Presence, but Beane holds her own, and the arrival of Linda Emond as Interpol agent Hilde Eriksen pays constant comic dividends. Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2024 People hold fierce loyalties to their Arthur Avenue stores of choice, mostly based on nostalgia, and the indefinable value of a personal relationship with one’s foodmonger. Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2023 Even in a case, like this one, where excess is the point, comedy still depends on an indefinable subtlety. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 25 Aug. 2023 Her small, local, middle-class white communities are rife with suspicion, infidelity, unease, and a sort of indefinable evil that permeates almost everybody and everything. Scott Bradfield, The New Republic, 1 Nov. 2022 The question then remains: How did fine become indefinable? Joseph Lezza, Longreads, 30 Mar. 2023 Seated in a shabby-chic hotel lounge on a blazing September day in New York City, Alex Turner looks like the timeless picture of a louche, untouchable rock star: modish swoop of chestnut hair, fine gold chain glimmering on his neck, indefinable swagger. Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 19 Oct. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'indefinable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1810, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of indefinable was in 1810

Dictionary Entries Near indefinable

Cite this Entry

“Indefinable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indefinable. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

indefinable

adjective
in·​de·​fin·​able ˌin-di-ˈfī-nə-bəl How to pronounce indefinable (audio)
: incapable of being exactly described or analyzed
indefinably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on indefinable

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