indecisive

Etymology

It is formed from English in- + decisive,^[2][3][4][5] with in- meaning "not".^[4] The Shorter Oxford compares the parallel undecisive.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Not settling a question or contest; inconclusive: 1726, in a letter of George Berkeley to Thomas Prior.^[2][4][6]

Semantic evolution

The word was first applied to things, such as battles or arguments, that leave a matter unsettled.^[2][4] The sense "hesitating, unable to decide", used of people, followed in the late 18th century: the OED's first record is in Jefferson's writings in 1787,^[2] while Etymonline dates it to 1775.^[4] From 1815 it also meant "not definite, indistinct", of outlines or boundaries.^[2][6]

Timeline

• 1726 – inconclusive, not settling a matter.^[2][4]
• 1787 – of a person, hesitating, irresolute.^[2] Etymonline dates it to 1775.^[4]
• 1815 – not definite, indistinct.^[2]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Of a person, unable to make up one's mind; hesitant, irresolute: He was too indecisive to choose a restaurant.^[7][6][2]
2. Not settling a matter; inconclusive: an indecisive skirmish.^[7][6][2]
3. Not clearly marked; indistinct or vague.^[6][2]

Word family

• indecisively
• indecisiveness

Related words

• indecision
• decisive
• decide
• undecided

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Oxford English Dictionary Online (accessed March 2026), Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
4. ^ a b c d e f g Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
5. ^ Dictionary.com Unabridged (2016), based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, New York: Random House
6. ^ a b c d e Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
7. ^ a b Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins