Word
indecisive
Phoneticsin·de·ci·sive, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɪndɪˈsaɪsɪv/
UK/ˌɪndɪsˈaɪsɪv/
Definition
adj. unable to make a decision because you are unsure or worried about what to choose. You might feel this way when you have too many options and cannot pick one.
adj. characterised by an inability to make a decision or reach a conclusion. Often used to describe a person's personality or a specific choice-making process.
Examples
“He is very indecisive when it comes to choosing a meal.”
“The committee was indecisive for weeks, unable to agree on a final budget despite having all the necessary data.”
“An indecisive leader can paralyse a team, as constant hesitation to commit to a strategy prevents any meaningful progress from being made.”
Examples
simple
“He is very indecisive when it comes to choosing a meal.”
contextual
“The committee was indecisive for weeks, unable to agree on a final budget despite having all the necessary data.”
complex
“An indecisive leader can paralyse a team, as constant hesitation to commit to a strategy prevents any meaningful progress from being made.”
Real-World Examples
“They were tentative in possession, indecisive when chances did come.” “Friend plays Patrick, slightly younger than Horgan’s Alex, a little indecisive and shambling.” Etymology
From in- + decisive.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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