vague

[ veyg ]

adjective

, va·guer, va·guest.

1. not clearly or explicitly stated or expressed:

   vague promises.

   Synonyms: unspecific, imprecise

2. indefinite or indistinct in nature or character, as ideas or feelings:

   a vague premonition of disaster.

3. not clear or distinct to the sight or any other sense; perceptible or recognizable only in an indefinite way: vague murmurs behind a door.

   vague shapes in the dark;

   vague murmurs behind a door.

   Synonyms: shadowy, hazy, obscure

4. not definitely established, determined, confirmed, or known; uncertain:

   a vague rumor;

   The date of his birth is vague.

5. (of persons) not clear or definite in thought, understanding, or expression: a vague person.

   vague about his motives;

   a vague person.

6. (of the eyes, expression, etc.) showing lack of clear perception or understanding:

   a vague stare.

vague

/ veɪɡ /

adjective

1. (of statements, meaning, etc) not explicit; imprecise

   vague promises

2. not clearly perceptible or discernible; indistinct

   a vague shape

   a vague idea

3. not clearly or definitely established or known

   a vague rumour

4. (of a person or his expression) demonstrating lack of precision or clear thinking; absent-minded

Derived Forms

• ˈvagueness, noun
• ˈvaguely, adverb

Other Words From

• vague·ly adverb
• vague·ness noun
• un·vague adjective
• un·vague·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vague¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French or directly from Latin vagus “wandering”

Word History and Origins

Origin of vague¹

C16: via French from Latin vagus wandering, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

What exactly those leadership qualities might entail was left vague.

From Los Angeles Times

Content creators are accustomed to such uncertainty, she added, because government directives tend to be vague and unevenly enforced.

From Los Angeles Times

Roberts cited vague notions of “self-government” as the driving force in his desire for the United States to confront China.

From Salon

A member of the clergy warned Mr Welby about Smyth in the 1980s, but the archbishop told the review this had been "vague" and "there was no indication given of the abuses which later came to light".

From BBC

While Trump took credit for overturning Roe, he remained vague about where he stood on abortion in its aftermath.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ambiguous
• dubious
• equivocal
• faint
• fuzzy
• hazy
• imprecise
• lax
• nebulous
• obscure
• uncertain
• unclear
• unsure