indistinct

Indistinct is an adjective in English that denotes a lack of clear perception, definition, or identity. Something indistinct is not easily seen, heard, or understood; it may lack sharp boundaries, precise features, or definite meaning. The term is frequently used to describe sensory impressions, such as an indistinct outline in the fog, an indistinct murmur in the distance, or an indistinct memory of an event.

Indistinct can also refer to categories or boundaries that are blurred or not well delineated, such as indistinct borders between neighboring regions or an indistinct difference between two options, leading to ambiguity in interpretation.

It is often contrasted with distinct or clear, and with indistinguishable (not able to be told apart). Indistinct means lacking clarity, not necessarily identical or inseparable.

Etymology: indistinct is formed from the Latin indistinctus, combining in- meaning not with distinctus meaning distinguished or separated.

See also: indistinction, indistinguishable, distinct, blur, ambiguity.