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vague definition

vague (vāg)

adjective vaguer va′·guer, vaguest va′·guest

  1. not clearly, precisely, or definitely expressed or stated
  2. indefinite in shape, form, or character; hazily or indistinctly seen or sensed
  3. not sharp, certain, or precise in thought, feeling, or expression vague in his answers, a vague hope
  4. not precisely determined or known; uncertain

Etymology: Fr < L vagus, wandering < IE *wag-, to be bent, prob. < base *wā- > vacillate

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

vague Synonyms

vague

modif.

  1. Not clearly expressed

    indefinite, unintelligible, imprecise, inexplicit; see obscure 1.

  2. Not clearly understood

    uncertain, undetermined, unsure, doubtful, dubious, questionable, misunderstood, enigmatic, nebulous, puzzling, inexplicable, unsettled, bewildering, perplexing, problematic.

    Antonyms certain*, sure*, positive. *

  3. Not clearly visible

    dim, nebulous, dark; see hazy 1. See syn. study at obscure.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

vague Usage Examples

Preposition: on

  • detail: It is based on guidelines, not state legislation, which are vague on detail.

Preposition: at

  • moment: The exact meaning of active is somewhat vague at the moment.

Modifies a noun

  • recollection: I have only a vague recollection of either game.

Modifying Another Word

  • deliberately: Dan: Richard's being deliberately vague - he was the most precious of all!

Infinitive complement

  • say: The wording of the provision is vague to say the least.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: He seemed vague about the source of the quotation.
vague usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

vague quotes

You're blessed with a woman's brain: vague, slippery, inexact, interested only inthe personal aspect of a thing.

-Lindesay Robertson ne¤  e Richardson

vague quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"vague." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/vague>

APA Style

vague. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/vague

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