unclear
Britishadjective
Other Word Forms
Explanation
When something's unclear it's hard to see or understand. If the directions for assembling your new desk are unclear, you might end up with two upside-down drawers and a handful of unused nuts and bolts. If you don't explain something accurately, it will be unclear to the person who's trying to understand. And when a photograph is badly out of focus, it's also unclear — you can't quite see the details. You can also use this adjective for the feeling that results in these situations: "I'm unclear about exactly who's in this photo and why you wanted me to see it."
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.
Migrants say Morocco allowed them to cross the border for reasons that remain unclear.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026
It is unclear whether this is a separate blaze and the BBC has asked the service how many incidents it is dealing with in the area.
From BBC ● Aug. 2, 2026
It remains unclear when the group will actually be able to increase its oil volumes, but some member countries, such as Iraq, have expressed a desire to significantly boost production.
From Barron's ● Aug. 2, 2026
The boat’s origin of departure is unclear at this time, according to a Coast Guard spokesperson.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2026
Min sat motionless for a long moment—long enough for Tree-ear to wonder if perhaps his request had been unclear.
From "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
