is not well-defined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not well-defined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a concept, term, or idea lacks clarity or precision. Example: "The term 'success' is not well-defined and can vary greatly from person to person."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

However, the physiologic importance of these prolactin-stimulating factors is not well-defined.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The 'price' of an asteroid is not well-defined but travelling back and forth is already extremely expensive".

The Guardian - Sport

First, the accessibility of a route is not well-defined.

Information Sciences

Although anticoagulation is recommended, its optimal timing is not well-defined.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

The effect of maternal mood disorders on neonatal measurements is not well-defined.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

However the role of circulating monocyte interactions in vascular and hepatic regeneration is not well-defined.

Journal of Hepatology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

This crucial term is not well defined.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Because the manufacturing category is not well defined, firms would have an incentive to characterize themselves as in manufacturing.

The New York Times

"People began riffing on it, took this character who is not well defined and made it their own".

The Guardian

However, Delaunay triangulation is not well defined in rectilinear distance.

Information Processing Letters

However, the role of surgery is not well defined.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "is not well-defined", provide context or further explanation to clarify what aspects lack clarity. This helps the reader understand the specific limitations or ambiguities you're addressing.

Common error

Avoid using "is not well-defined" without specifying why something lacks a clear definition. Failing to elaborate can leave the reader confused about the exact nature of the ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not well-defined" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It indicates that a subject lacks a clear or precise definition, which, as confirmed by Ludwig, is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

71%

News & Media

17%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is not well-defined" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English, employed to describe concepts or terms lacking clarity or precision. As Ludwig confirms, it is particularly prevalent in academic and scientific writing. Alternatives include "is poorly defined" or "lacks definition". When using this phrase, providing further context is beneficial. The phrase's formal register makes it suitable for professional and scholarly communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is poorly defined

Changes "well" to "poorly", indicating a lower degree of definition.

is vaguely defined

Replaces "not well" with "vaguely", implying a lack of clear boundaries.

is ill-defined

Uses "ill-" as a prefix, meaning "badly" or "poorly", to describe the lack of definition.

lacks definition

Employs a different grammatical structure, focusing on the absence of definition.

is not clearly defined

Adds "clearly" to emphasize the lack of clarity in the definition.

is ambiguously defined

Substitutes "not well-defined" with "ambiguously defined", highlighting the presence of multiple interpretations.

is imprecisely defined

Replaces "well-defined" with "precisely defined", focusing on the lack of exactness.

is loosely defined

Implies a flexible or relaxed definition, lacking strict boundaries.

is undefined

A more absolute statement indicating that no definition exists.

remains undefined

Similar to "is undefined" but emphasizes the persistence of this state over time.

FAQs

How can I use "is not well-defined" in a sentence?

You can use "is not well-defined" to indicate that a concept, term, or idea lacks clarity or precision. For example, "The scope of the project "is not well-defined", leading to confusion among team members".

What are some alternatives to "is not well-defined"?

Alternatives include "is poorly defined", "is vaguely defined", or "lacks definition". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "is not well-defined" or "is undefined"?

"Is not well-defined" implies that some definition exists but is inadequate or unclear. "Is undefined" suggests that no definition exists at all. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the situation.

What does it mean when something "is not well-defined"?

When something "is not well-defined", it means its boundaries, scope, or characteristics are unclear, leading to potential ambiguity or misinterpretation. Further clarification is usually needed.