vaguely

American  

[veyg-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

Etymology

Origin of vaguely

vague ( def. ) + -ly

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

Analogies would become almost impossible to police, and nearly any modern restriction could be justified by identifying some vaguely similar historical concern.

From Slate ● Jun. 26, 2026

Burnham, who during his four-decade political career has gradually shifted to the left of the Labour Party, has only vaguely outlined what he intends to do if he gets into office.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026

The book recounts Vance's conversion to Catholicism, a long road from the vaguely defined Christianity of his beloved, gunpacking grandmother who cared for him for most of his childhood.

From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026

During those evening rides, Grohl also drank up the city’s otherworldly, vaguely haunted visage.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2026

“We’re tearing down,” says Uncle Al, gesturing vaguely.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen