Word
undecided
Phoneticsun·de·cid·ed, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌəndɪˈsaɪdɪd/
UK/ˌʌndɪsˈaɪdɪd/
Definition
adj. not having made a final choice or decision yet. You use this when you are still thinking about different options.
adj. not having reached a definitive decision or resolution. Often used predicatively after a linking verb or to describe a person who has not yet cast a vote.
Examples
“I am still undecided about which car to buy.”
“With the election only days away, both candidates are focusing their efforts on the large number of undecided voters.”
“The committee remains undecided on the proposed budget cuts, as several members have expressed concerns regarding the long-term impact on departmental research and development.”
Examples
simple
“I am still undecided about which car to buy.”
contextual
“With the election only days away, both candidates are focusing their efforts on the large number of undecided voters.”
complex
“The committee remains undecided on the proposed budget cuts, as several members have expressed concerns regarding the long-term impact on departmental research and development.”
Usage
Often follows linking verbs like 'be', 'remain', or 'stay'. Frequently paired with the preposition 'about' or 'on'.
Real-World Examples
“It’s the end of the Worker’s party era,” he claimed, asking undecided voters to back him to achieve that aim, even if they didn’t like him.” “The number of undecided voters in advance of the vote was much lower than at previous elections, polling showed.” Etymology
From Middle English undecided, equivalent to un- + decided.
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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/undecided