vague

[veyg]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR vague ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, va·guer, va·guest.

not clearly or explicitly stated or expressed: vague promises.

indefinite or indistinct in nature or character, as ideas or feelings: a vague premonition of disaster.

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

not definitely established, determined, confirmed, or known; uncertain: a vague rumor; The date of his birth is vague.

(of persons) not clear or definite in thought, understanding, or expression: vague about his motives; a vague person.

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

Origin of vague

1540–50; (< Middle French) < Latin vagus wandering

Related formsvague·ly, adverbvague·ness, nounun·vague, adjectiveun·vague·ly, adverbun·vague·ness, noun

Synonyms for vague

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR vague ON THESAURUS.COM

1. unspecific, imprecise. 3. obscure, hazy, shadowy.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for vague

ambiguous, unclear, uncertain, equivocal, faint, dubious, nebulous, lax, hazy, fuzzy, obscure, unsure, imprecise, amorphous, bleary, cloudy, dark, dim, doubtful, enigmatic

Examples from the Web for vague

Contemporary Examples of vague

But Horrigan says the site weeds out red flags like vague or unlisted addresses.
From a Broken Lease, a Dream NYC Home
Lizzie Crocker
September 17, 2014
Give Yourself a Real Reward Sure, some people might be motivated by vague goals such as “better health” or “weight control.”
4 Science-Backed Ways to Motivate Yourself to Work Out
DailyBurn
September 13, 2014
But I think that people who have challenged it sometimes are kind of vague in their reasons for the challenge.
A Trailblazer in YA Dystopian Fiction: An Interview With 'The Giver' Author Lois Lowry
Marianne Hayes
August 12, 2014
She said it all in a vague way, that it was a hazing incident gone awry.
Joan Allen on ‘The Killing’ Finale and That Mother of a Twist
Kevin Fallon
August 7, 2014
She said she had a only a vague idea who the couple were when she was booked.
Masseuse Claims Assault by Russell Brand
Tom Sykes
August 2, 2014

Historical Examples of vague

He had a vague consciousness that the boys did not love him, to say the least of it.
The Raid From Beausejour; And How The Carter Boys Lifted The Mortgage
Charles G. D. Roberts
He had got a dangerous game to play, and his plans were vague and shadowy.
Life in London
Edwin Hodder
A vague unrest and dissatisfaction with her Christian experience were growing on her.
Ester Ried Yet Speaking
Isabella Alden
He had caught the contagion of her mood and vague alarm swept him.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
It was only by an effort that he shook off the vague feeling of guilt.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana

British Dictionary definitions for vague

vague

adjective

(of statements, meaning, etc) not explicit; imprecisevague promises

not clearly perceptible or discernible; indistincta vague idea; a vague shape

not clearly or definitely established or knowna vague rumour

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

Derived Formsvaguely, adverbvagueness, noun

Word Origin for vague

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for vague

adj.

1540s, from Middle French vague, from Latin vagus "wandering, rambling, vacillating, vague," of unknown origin. Related: Vagueness.