Pronunciation: [ˌɪndɪsˈa͡ɪsɪv] (IPA) 
The word "indecisive" is spelled as /ˌɪn.dɪˈsaɪ.sɪv/. The "in" prefix means "not," and the root word "decisive" is pronounced as /dɪˈsaɪ.sɪv/. The spelling of the word reflects its meaning: someone who is indecisive is unable to make a decisive or firm decision. This can be due to doubt, fear or lack of confidence. The phonetic transcription helps us to see the different sounds in the word and understand how it is pronounced.
The term "indecisive" refers to a characteristic or quality of someone who struggles to make or finalize decisions, often exhibiting hesitancy or doubt. An indecisive person tends to waver between various options, finding it challenging to choose or commit to a particular path, idea, or course of action. This state of being indecisive can be influenced by several factors, such as excessive contemplation, fear of making the wrong choice, or an inclination to consider multiple perspectives simultaneously.
An indecisive individual may experience difficulty in both important and trivial matters, from selecting a career path to picking a restaurant for dinner. They may often appear unsure or vacillating, seeking external validation or alternate opinions to make up their mind. This prolonged process of decision-making can lead to frustration both for the person themselves and for those around them, as it often results in delays or missed opportunities.
In certain situations, being indecisive may stem from a desire to please others, avoid conflicts, or maintain a sense of harmony. However, this cautious approach can sometimes lead to missed opportunities or dissatisfaction due to the inability to take decisive action.
Ultimately, being indecisive is characterized by a lack of firmness or resolution in decision-making, resulting in a tendency to waver, delay, or struggle to reach a conclusive choice.
Unsettled; wavering; not bringing to a final close or issue.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "indecisive" comes from the Latin word "indecisus", which is a combination of the prefix "in-" (meaning "not") and "decisus" (meaning "cut off" or "determined"). The Latin root is derived from the verb "decidere", which means "to cut off" or "to determine". Over time, "indecisus" evolved into the Old French word "indecis", and then into the Modern English word "indecisive", carrying the sense of being unable to make decisions or to cut off from options.
