Synonyms

vaguely

American

[veyg-lee] / ˈveɪg li /

adverb

in a way that is unclear, imprecise, or uncertain: The sound was vaguely familiar, but she couldn't identify it.

They've been talking vaguely about maybe buying a house there one of these days.
The sound was vaguely familiar, but she couldn't identify it.

Other Word Forms

unvaguely adverb

Etymology

Origin of vaguely

vague ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Expect a dark, deep and vaguely disturbing ride.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

In the event, the US president described them as "friends" and vaguely praised Tokyo for "really stepping up to the plate".

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

Then there are characters I only vaguely recognize, some I feel real fondness toward but no present desire for, all those Labubus of yesteryear.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

At first, I felt vaguely conspiratorial — like I was getting away with something.

From Salon • Feb. 18, 2026

In some vaguely general fashion, they understood this, regarding the construction of the District of Columbia on the Potomac as a statement of Virginia’s enduring influence over the federal government.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023