WordGarden.io

undecided

C2
Fairly common

Pronunciation

UK

  • /ˌʌndɪsˈaɪdɪd/

US

  • /ˌəndɪˈsaɪdɪd/

Meanings

Adjective

  1. not having made up one's mind or chosen between options

  2. not yet settled, determined, or resolved

Beyond the definition

Imagine you're standing in front of an ice cream shop with dozens of flavors. You really want ice cream, but you can't choose! That feeling of being unable to make up your mind is what this word describes. It means you haven't yet committed to a particular option or plan.

Being undecided isn't necessarily a bad thing. It often happens when choices are difficult or important. For instance, a jury might be described as "undecided" if it hasn't reached a final verdict. You might be undecided about which college to attend or what career path to pursue. It's that in-between space where you're still thinking before you finally make up your mind.

Examples

  1. 1

    Shopping choice

    I'm still undecided about which laptop to buy.

  2. 2

    Job decision

    She's undecided about whether to accept the job in Berlin.

  3. 3

    Two options

    We were undecided between a small wedding and a trip abroad.

  4. 4

    Election

    Many voters are still undecided a few days before the election.

    • Phraseundecided voters

      people who have not chosen who to vote for

More examples
  1. 5

    Scheduling

    The committee left the final date undecided until everyone had replied.

    • Patternleave + decision/issue + undecided

      choose not to decide it yet

  2. 6

    Sports future

    His future at the club remains undecided.

    • Phraseremains undecided

      has still not been settled

See also

Similar

Shades of meaning

Contrast

Do not confuse

Used with (collocations)

  • undecided voter
  • remain undecided
  • still undecided
  • undecided about

Word family

Explore

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • undecidedadjective