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

• ˈvaguely, adverb
• ˈvagueness, noun

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

Amazon’s tip-reimbursement policy was not vague, spokeswoman Rena Lunak said in a statement.

From Washington Post

While the company has not given a specific date, the vague outline it has given means the update could arrive either in late March or some point in April.

From Digiday

Unfortunately, the early warning signals are kind of vague and nonspecific.

From Freakonomics

As to whether Cisco would have kept selling its Kinetic for Cities software if it wasn’t for the coronavirus pandemic, Diedrich was vague.

From Fortune

The 42-year-old, who lost his job because of the pandemic and started working as a runner at a hospital, said the government’s communication has been too vague.

From Fortune

But McCulloch remained vague about the issues that he says we need to address.

From The Daily Beast

What that something will be—who it will hurt, and who will do the hurting—remains somewhat vague.

From The Daily Beast

But Horrigan says the site weeds out red flags like vague or unlisted addresses.

From The Daily Beast

Give Yourself a Real Reward   Sure, some people might be motivated by vague goals such as “better health” or “weight control.”

From The Daily Beast

But I think that people who have challenged it sometimes are kind of vague in their reasons for the challenge.

From The Daily Beast

Vague murmurs of doubt and surprise reached the ears of two of the British magistrates.

From Project Gutenberg

"You seem to be as much at home here as in London," said Mrs. Armine, in a voice that was rather vague.

From Project Gutenberg

He had only very vague ideas of justice as administered by law and, at present, he cared little about that.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Pontellier had a vague suspicion of it which he thought it needless to mention at that late day.

From Project Gutenberg

She was so bewildered as to be more alive to the present distress of his condition than to the vague horrors downstairs.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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