vaguely

American  

[vayg-lee] / ˈveɪg li /

adverb

1. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• unvaguely
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of vaguely

vague ( def. ) + -ly

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Explanation

Vaguely describes action that is unclear. If you vaguely recall meeting someone once before, you barely remember him or her, what you talked about, or even where you met. The adverb vaguely probably comes from the Latin word vagus, which means “wandering,” or “uncertain.” Its origin is unclear, which is fitting for a word that means "mistily." If you don't want to go to your friend's tuba recital, you can say vaguely, "I think I might have something else to do that night. But if I don't, I'll try to make it."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

vaguely

A slight jab and a vaguely sore arm later, I’m now halfway to being significantly more protected against a shingles outbreak than I was before.

From Slate ● Nov. 1, 2026

The word “nocturne,” typically used to describe music, poetry or paintings made to evoke a pensive, nighttime mood, must have seemed vaguely analogous to “Sandman,” which was already the title of a TV show.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026

His initial exchanges with Kemi Badenoch were vaguely jocular.

From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026

Another night, the same pack might go into red beans, taking dinner vaguely in the direction of Louisiana.

From Salon ● Aug. 25, 2026

Isa could vaguely hear her family rush out behind her, but it didn’t stop her from pounding a fist on the door.

From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser

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