vague Hear it!

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:

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.

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.
  • notion: This is not a vague liberal notion about letting people have what they want.
  • generality: Chapter twenty one closes off with the same kind of vague generalities given in part one.
  • promise: Don't try to distract us with vague promises of " lists of extremists " upon which your name will not be found.
  • allusion: In fact, the only remote reference to Jesus ' appearance is a vague allusion in the book of Isaiah.
  • resemblance: I can see a vague resemblance to the Mayflower in parts.

Modifying Another Word

  • deliberately: Dan: Richard's being deliberately vague - he was the most precious of all!
  • hopelessly: While she calls for activity and alliances to fight the TNCs, she is hopelessly vague about what kind of action is needed.
  • somewhat: The exact meaning of active is somewhat vague at the moment.
  • intentionally: Again, this is a question of judgment call: many of the guidelines are intentionally vague, and cannot be tested automatically.
  • rather: Its a rather vague term to put into Google.
  • too: Our present review pro forma for children is really too vague, being a general form for all children with special needs.

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.
  • remain: For now, the press release, included below the cut, remains fairly vague about the whole project.
  • leave: Its terms were not " all left too vague " .
  • sound: If the answers to your questions sound vague ask for clarification.
  • become: The week after this I noticed she was very emotional and became vague.
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

Browse dictionary entries near vague

  1. vagrom
  2. vagrantly
  3. vagrant
  4. vagrancy
  5. vagrancies
  6. vagotropic
  7. vagotonic
  8. vagotonia
  9. vagotomy
  10. vagotomies
  1. vaguely
  2. vagueness
  3. vaguer
  4. vaguest
  5. vagus
  6. vagus nerve
  7. vahine
  8. vail
  9. Vail, Alfred
  10. vain