nebulous Hear it!

nebulous Definition

nebu·lous (nebyə ləs)

adjective

  1. of or like a nebula or nebulae
  2. Rare cloudy; misty
  3. unclear; vague; indefinite

Etymology: ME nebulus < L nebulosus

nebulous Related Forms
nebu·lously adverb nebu·lous·ness noun
nebulous Synonyms

nebulous

modif.

indistinct, dim, vague; see dark 1, hazy 1, obscure 1, 3.

nebulous Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • concept: This paper aims to bring greater clarity to the nebulous concept of the involved father.
  • object: As with all nebulous objects, it is best searched for in dark and transparent skies.
  • nature: Stop The War organizers celebrate the nebulous, diverse nature of the anti-war protests, without attempting to give any coherence to them.
  • term: Success of course is a very nebulous term, sometimes failure is easier to spot than success!
  • idea: We have formed the nebulous game idea into a full scale international venture.
  • thing: A nebulous thing called " Timeless " which is often an amalgamation of styles.

Modifying Another Word

  • somewhat: The concept of ' fairness ' is thus somewhat nebulous.
  • rather: It was used in a rather nebulous way, " he said.
  • so: Yet there is a broadening range of sites in what is still new, and so nebulous, ground.
  • very: Success of course is a very nebulous term, sometimes failure is easier to spot than success!
  • too: What Daniel could recall was too nebulous to call a true memory.
  • often: In these stories, the nature of female identity is often nebulous, being determined largely by social expectations.

Used with adjective complement

  • become: Building wealth than may lead tropical futon cover to have become more nebulous.
  • seem: While indoor air quality may seem nebulous, measuring and defining objectives is achievable.
  • remain: In November 1914, Britain declared war on Turkey on grounds that remain nebulous.