undecided
C1Neutral to formal. Common in both spoken and written English.
Definition
Meaning
Not having made a firm choice between options; uncertain.
Not settled or resolved; still pending a decision. Can also describe a person's character trait of being hesitant or indecisive.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as an adjective. Can describe both a temporary state of mind ('I'm undecided') and a pending, unresolved situation ('The match is undecided').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Equally neutral in both varieties. No strong regional connotations.
Frequency
Equally common in both UK and US English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be undecided about + NOUN/WH-CLAUSEbe undecided on + NOUNbe undecided as to + WH-CLAUSEbe undecided whether + CLAUSEVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “On the fence”
- “Torn between”
- “Sitting on the fence (UK emphasis)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Referring to pending decisions, undecided clients, or unresolved contract terms.
Academic
Describing unresolved research questions, theoretical debates, or a scholar's tentative position.
Everyday
Commonly used for personal choices (e.g., what to eat, where to go, what to buy).
Technical
In computing/game theory: a state where an algorithm has not reached a conclusion; a match/game with no winner yet.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- She's still undecided about which university to choose.
- The committee left the matter undecided.
American English
- He's undecided on the proposal.
- The election is too close to call, with many states still undecided.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I am undecided about the blue shirt or the red one.
- Are you decided? No, I'm still undecided.
- Many voters remain undecided just a week before the election.
- We were undecided whether to go by train or drive.
- The jury was undecided after the first day of deliberations, leading to a recess.
- Her undecided nature often made planning group outings difficult.
- The philosophical debate on consciousness remains fundamentally undecided.
- Critics were undecided as to whether the film's ambiguity was a strength or a fatal flaw.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'UN- (not) + DECIDED (made a choice) = NOT HAVING MADE A CHOICE.'
Conceptual Metaphor
INDECISION IS BEING AT A CROSSROADS / INDECISION IS BEING IN SUSPENDED ANIMATION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating as 'нерешительный' when describing a situation; it can mean 'unsettled' or 'pending'. 'Неопределившийся' is closer for a person.
- Don't confuse with 'uncertain' ('неуверенный') which is broader; 'undecided' specifically implies a choice between options.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a noun (e.g., 'I am an undecided' – awkward; better: 'I am undecided' or 'I am an undecided voter').
- Overusing in contexts where 'unsure' or 'uncertain' is more natural (e.g., 'I'm undecided about the weather' sounds odd).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'undecided' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can describe situations, outcomes, or matters that are unresolved (e.g., 'The issue is still undecided').
'Undecided' describes a temporary state about a specific choice. 'Indecisive' is a character trait describing a person who struggles to make decisions in general.
It's grammatically possible but 'completely,' 'totally,' or 'still' are more natural and frequent collocations.
Not a standard one. 'Undecidedness' is very rare. The state is usually described with the adjective or phrases like 'state of indecision'.