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undetectable

B2
Uncommon

Pronunciation

UK

  • /ˌʌndɪtˈɛktəbəl/

US

  • /əndɪˈtɛktəbəl/

Meanings

Adjective

  1. unable to be found, noticed, or measured

Beyond the definition

Imagine a master spy slipping into a heavily guarded building - their goal is to be undetectable. This means they want to avoid being discovered, noticed, or revealed. Something undetectable is so well hidden, faint, or slight that people or tools do not notice it. It is not just hidden; it gives no clear sign that it is there.

A scent might be undetectable to most noses, a signal undetectable by standard equipment, or a small mistake undetectable at first glance. The context often implies what is doing the detecting - a person, a machine, or simple observation. Think of a ninja's stealth, or a virus that slips past the body's defenses - both aim to avoid detection.

Examples

  1. 1

    Repair

    The repair was so well done that the crack was undetectable.

  2. 2

    Visual perception

    The difference in color is undetectable to the human eye.

    • Phraseto the human eye

      when people look at it normally

  3. 3

    Emotional tone

    Her disappointment was almost undetectable in her voice.

  4. 4

    Medical results

    After six months of treatment, the virus was undetectable in his blood.

More examples
  1. 5

    Cybersecurity

    The malware was designed to remain undetectable by standard security software.

    • Patternremain undetectable by + detector

      continue without being found by it

See also

Similar

Shades of meaning

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Used with (collocations)

  • undetectable levels
  • undetectable by radar
  • virtually undetectable

Word family

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Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • undetectableadjective