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

So next time you pick up a book, what you think is just something vaguely interesting might actually make up an important part of your psychology.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

“There’s been a whole series of legal challenges he’s been able to slip out of, but voters are at least vaguely aware of them,” Jillson said.

From Salon ● Jul. 28, 2026

“Something that vaguely looks like a gun part is not considered to be a match,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2026

It notes that he has a doctorate and vaguely describes him as “an author, historian, and investor.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026

Early articles, which had depicted her as “well-dressed,” “striking,” the family “perfect,” had given way to snide and vaguely accusatory ones of the ilk of MOM SEZ: NOT MY KID.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt