Do you know the definition of indivisible? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word indivisible, including its definition, usage, example sentences, and more!

What does the word indivisible mean?

According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word indivisible (pronunciation of indivisible: in di vis ə-bəl) is an adjective that means unable to be divided or separated.

According to The Free Dictionary, the term indivisible can also be used in mathematics. In maths and geometry, one number is considered indivisible by another number if it is incapable of being divided without a remainder. For example, the number 4 is indivisible by the number 3. If you attempt to divide 4 by 3, you will be left with a remainder of 1. A remainder is a small quantity that is left over after further division of a number. If a number can have exact division performed on it with no remainder, this number is divisible by the other number. For example, the number 4 is divisible by the number 2. Many different mathematical concepts in geometry and a kind of calculus will involve things that are indivisible, from an infinite number of lines to an infinite number of points or an infinite number of surfaces.

The word indivisible is famously used in the American Pledge of Allegiance, which reads as follows, per VA. Americans often recite this in schools or before a sporting event.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America

and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation

under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Numerous different languages also use words that mean indivisible. This list of translations for the word indivisible is provided by Word Sense.

Icelandic: ódeilanlegur‎ (masc.)
Finnish: jakamaton‎
German: unteilbar‎
Hungarian: oszthatatlan‎
Spanish: indivisible‎
Swedish: odelbar‎
Khmer: អវិភាគីយ‎ (a’vi’pʰiekii)
Russian: недели́мый‎, нераздели́мый‎, неразложи́мый‎
Scottish Gaelic: do-roinn‎
Portuguese: indivisível‎
Japanese: 分割‎, 分ける‎, 割れる‎ 不可分‎
Catalan: indivisible‎
Greek: αδιαίρετος‎

What is the origin of the word indivisible?

According to Etymonline, the word indivisible has been used since the early 15th century and comes from the Old French indivisible, a 14th century word. This comes directly from the Late Latin indivisibilis meaning not divisible, from the prefix in meaning not and the Latin divisibilis meaning divisible. Related words include the word indivisibly (adv.) which adds the suffix bly as well as the nouns indivisibility and indivisibleness which add the suffixes ty and ness.

How can the word indivisible be used in a sentence?

The word indivisible can be used in many different sentences. In the following dialogs, different people will use the word indivisible. In this example, two family members discuss their family’s division over politics.

Person 1: Nobody talks to each other anymore, ever since we’ve been split on different sides of political issues.

Person 2: I know. We were supposed to be an indivisible family, but sometimes it feels like I don’t even know them anymore.

Next, a person stumbles upon broken glass outside the bank.

Person 1: Whoa, what are all these fragments doing here?

Person 2: Someone broke into the bank last night.

Person 1: Wow, I thought this glass was supposed to be indivisible.

Finally, a person confronts their friend about their elitist attitude.

Person 1: Put down the flashcards.

Person 2: Whoa, what’s your problem?

Person 1: Ever since you got into Princeton University you’ve treated me like I don’t exist. Just because I’m going to register for community college doesn’t mean I’m not good enough for you. We were supposed to be indivisible.

As you can see, the word indivisible can be used in many different ways to describe different things that are incapable of being divided. This word can be used both literally and figuratively.

What are synonyms and antonyms for the word indivisible?

There are many different words that a person can use in place of the word indivisible. These are called synonyms. Synonyms are words and phrases that have the same meaning as another word or phrase. These are useful to know if you are trying not to repeat yourself as well as if you are looking to expand your English language vocabulary. This list of synonyms for the word indivisible is provided by Thesaurus.

impenetrable
related
combined
akin
undivided
linked
welded
interdependent
conjoined
indissoluble
affiliated
touching
confederated
coupled
banded
cemented
tied in
as one
intermixed
leagued
whole
accompanying
bracketed
involved
married
inseverable
allied
hitched
molded
connected
consolidated
interfused
entwined
attached
tied up
unbreakable
merged
interallied
integrated
cooperative
inalienable
unified
joined up
joined
federated
put together
united
inseparable
together
secure
interclasped
blended
intertwined
interwoven
mingled
conjugated
associated
one
collective
permanent
fused
affixed
mixed
amalgamated
stuck together
integral
incorporated
paired
cognate
interlaced
pooled
wedded

There are also numerous different words that mean the opposite of the word indivisible. These opposite words are called antonyms, which are another great way to try and expand your vocabulary. This list of antonyms for the word indivisible is also provided by Thesaurus.

in halves
scattered
several
dissolvable
sovereign
disunited
marked
discrete
disassociated
divergent
cut apart
set asunder
distinctive
unique
distinct
diverse
disjointed
divided
solitary
partible
split
autonomous
different
distinguishable
severed
set apart
distant
detachable
unattached
unconnected
separate
free
breakable
parted
one
various
dissoluble
apportioned
divisible
partitioned
cut in two
loose
detached
independent
divorced
apart
peculiar
sundered
single
abstracted
dividable
isolated
separated
only
disembodied
asunder
removed
far between
put asunder
distributed
severable
particular
lone
separable
sole

Overall, the word indivisible means unable to be divided. This word can be used to describe many different literal and figurative things, from mathematics of a specific integer to an indivisible fact.

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Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.