indistinct

adjective

in·​dis·​tinct ˌin-di-ˈstiŋ(k)t 

: not distinct: such as

a

: not sharply outlined or separable : blurred

indistinct figures in the fog

b

: faint, dim

an indistinct light in the distance

c

: not clearly recognizable or understandable : uncertain

indistinctly

ˌin-di-ˈstiŋ(k)t-lē 

-ˈstiŋ-klē

adverb

indistinctness

ˌin-di-ˈstiŋ(k)t-nəs 

-ˈstiŋk-nəs

noun

Synonyms

• blear
• bleary
• blurry
• dim
• faint
• foggy
• fuzzy
• gauzy
• hazy
• indefinite
• indistinguishable
• misty
• murky
• nebulous
• obscure
• opaque
• pale
• shadowy
• unclear
• undefined
• undetermined
• vague

Examples of indistinct in a Sentence

indistinct figures in the fog

managed to discern a blurry, indistinct shadow through the downpour

Recent Examples on the Web

Guitarist Johnstone was alternately audible and indistinct. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2025

Sherlock and Amelia are not exactly mentor and mentee, but something less interesting and indistinct. —Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025

The play is now set in a purposely indistinct time period. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2025

Often, the ad is for an indistinct mobile game featuring a woman with a freezing baby who must choose between spending her fifty gold coins on either building a working fireplace or repairing a broken window that’s letting in an icy breeze. —Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin indistinctus, from in- + distinctus distinct

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for indistinct

• interlinked
• blinked
• clinked
• inked
• kinked
• linked
• tinct
• winked
• distinct
• extinct
• hoodwinked
• precinct

Kids Definition

indistinct

adjective

in·​dis·​tinct ˌin-dis-ˈtiŋ(k)t 

: not distinct or clear

indistinct figures in the fog

a far-off indistinct light

indistinctly adverb

indistinctness noun