What is the meaning of the word vague

Words are a unit of languages and the backbone of any communication. It is vital to understand the definition and meaning to comprehend what’s communicated to you. In your journey to improving your language and adding more vocabulary, learn the word «vague.»

Vague means that something written or spoken isn’t clearly expressed or explained. It is used when something is not well understood, defined, or grasped. Everyday use of «vague» revolves around information that doesn’t have a definite meaning. It can also be defined as something «subconscious.»

Now that you have a rough idea of «vague definition,» let’s go back to its history, etymology, use in sentences, and much more. It’s the best way to give you confidence in its usage when writing and speaking. More so, you will better understand the word when reading it or getting data that contains the word.

What is the Definition of Vague?

The Merriam-Webster dictionary gives three meanings of the word «vague.» As an adjective: 1. «not clear in meaning: Stated in a way that is general and not specific.» 2. «Not thinking or expressing your thoughts clearly.» 3. «Not completely formed or developed.»

The best way of understanding the meaning of «vague» is by first understanding how it makes you feel. When something is «vague,» it will leave you feeling confused and uncertain about the situation. Also, most people use this word when they are not sure of the information, their thought, or the information they are giving. Example: The lawyer was vague on where she got the evidence.

As you continue to learn about the word vague, you will come across various forms. We’ve highlighted two forms to help you learn the words and how to use them in a sentence to avoid errors. They include:

Vaguely

The word vaguely is a verb meaning «roughly» or «slightly.» Vaguely is primarily used in situations that are uncertain, unclear, or indefinite. Example in a sentence: She gestured vaguely towards the office.

Vagueness

The word vagueness is a noun that does not have preciseness in thought and communication. It can also be defined as a lack of certainty and distinctness. Examples in a sentence: Given the vagueness of the instructions, we did very well to pass the exam.

What Is The Meaning Of Vague?

Vague also means something ambiguous or not unambiguous. Though rarely used in this way, «vague» can also be defined as not apparent or not very visible.

But still, the word vague has several meanings. According to the information found in most dictionaries, vague means something:

• Stated in a way that is too general or not specific.
• Not expressing one’s thoughts clearly.
• Not completely formed.
• Not strongly felt.
• Not able to be seen clearly.

To elaborate more on that, when something is vague, it does not have a precise meaning. It is not easy to define, explain, or understand it. The word can show a situation where someone is not expressing themselves clearly or is uncertain about what they say.

Vague also means something or a situation that you are having difficulty comprehending. It makes it impossible for you to give precise information about something if the details you got are vague. Example: The couple was vague on the reasons they decided to elope.

How to Use Vague In a Sentence?

The word Vague is an adjective used to describe the state of nouns or pronouns. The word vague can be replaced with synonyms like «fuzzy,» «unclear,» and «indefinite.»

Many things can be vague such as outline, shape, number, stare, promise, idea, hint, impression, person, communication, symptoms, childhood memories, sense of excitement, authority, and many more. That is why vague phrases are common.

In all the words mentioned above, if the data, memory, or information is not precise, you can use the word vague at the beginning of the word. Example: A vague symptom of Coronavirus.

Learning how to use «vague» will make it easy for you to express yourself and interpret the information that has this word with ease. Here are a few sentences using the word «vague.»

• I never understood her vague answers to my questions about what she did last night with Mike.
• The instructions for this model are so vague that even I can’t figure it out.
• The event schedule they gave us is very vague, but they did say the party starts at 7 pm.
• His speech was so vague that people didn’t know what he was saying or where he stood on the issues.
• It’s very vague, but I think this is the address you’re looking for.
• The movie was a bit vague and hard to understand, but it had a lot of good things going for it.

Ten Examples of Vague In a Sentence

After understanding «vague» and its meaning, the next is to know how to use the word in a sentence. Learning how to structure the word differently in varying sentences will help you understand the word better. Here are ten examples of vague sentences.

1. He was not happy with the vague response he got from the police.
2. When I asked to borrow the segway, his response was vague.
3. Her vague response made me suspect she had prescient knowledge on the issue.
4. She has a vague recollection of the accident. That explains why nobody believes her.
5. Since the plan details were vague, we did not know what to do next.
6. If the response they give you is vague, ensure that you ask for clarification.
7. The song had a vague connection to their love story. But they love it anyway.
8. The terms and conditions of the gadget you are buying are rather vague. It might have repercussions that nobody expects.
9. I do not have a vague idea of what I would suggest the boys do during their arrival birthday.
10. I saw a vague outline of the tree through the fog. Being the first time, I loved it.
11. The information you were given is vague and doesn’t affect the event’s schedule in any way.
12. He was vague, but still, he got attention from his coworkers. It is no wonder he was not in a hurry to leave the company.

How Do You Spell The Word Vague?

The word «vague» is spelled as v-a-g-u-e. 

Ensure that you get the proper spelling of the word vague so that you do not make a mistake when writing a message or some information. If you mistake the spelling, your message might get misunderstood. Again, don’t confuse the spelling with the word «plague» or «Hague.»

How Do You Pronounce Vague?

The pronunciation of the word «vague» depends on the English accent you are speaking. For example, in American English, the most preferred pronunciation is /veig/. But if you are using British English, the spelling will be /væɡ/.

The word can also be pronounced as veyg or veiig. The word is spelled using a strong «va » but pronounced as «ve» sound/ then followed by the sound «g.» The «ue» is silent. Most people mispronounce the word vague as they attempt to spell out the «ue» part of the word.

How Many Syllables Are Vague?

The word vague has one syllable, which is divided as vague. Since the word has only one syllable, the word stress is vague.

Synonyms Of The Word «Vague»

• Equivocal
• Uncertain
• Unsure
• Blurred
• Unclear

Antonyms Of The Word «Vague»

• Clear
• Definite
• Apparent
• Secure
• Sure

The History and Etymology of Vague

The word «vague» comes from the Latin word «vagus,» which means rambling, wondering, or strolling.

The noun word «vagus» is commonly used by Roman Catholicism to define someone who is vagrant or homeless. It is also associated with the word vagabond, which means someone wondering without knowing where he is going.

The French adopted the word «vague» and defined it as the movement on the surface of a liquid or ripple. The word vague was used in the middle French and then the new French.

The word has also been traced to Old Norse as «vegr» meaning sea. The English language then adopted it to mean something uncertain. A few impressive words that are similar to vague include tenebrous, ambiguous, and nebulous.

When Was Vague First Used?

Vague was first seen in the English language 400 years ago, around 1598. That positions it as a word with a rich history but still unique whenever used.

The word vague may sound like it has the same meaning as «vault,» but we assure you they don’t. They are not even the same in meaning and use. Vault is an old and rare word for a storehouse, but vague means unclear.

Conclusion

The word vague is used in different languages around the world. It is also used in various occupations and different sentences. The main purpose is to describe something that is not definite or unclear. It is described in most dictionaries as «not explicitly stated or expressed» or «indistinct in feelings, ideas, and characters.»

When you learn words and their meaning, it will be easier to communicate with others. Thus, the importance of vocabulary development cannot be overemphasized. With social media and people always sharing information, it is now essential to know the definition and meaning of words like vague.

What does the word vague mean?

According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language and Collins English Dictionary, the word vague is an adjective that means unclear or not explicit. Something that is vague lacks understanding, has a lack of clear perception, has an indefinite way about it, is of an obscure origin, an obscure turn of phrase,  has a lack of precision and clear thinking, has a lack of precise meaning, does not have a specific date, or is an undefined term. The pronunciation of vague is veɪɡ. 

Many things can be vague, including vague shapes, a vague outline, vague promises, a vague rumor, vague murmurs, a vague understanding, a vague stare, a vague rumour, the vaguest idea, a vague premonition of disaster, a vague lack of precision, the vague hint of a thickening waistline, vague uneasiness, the vague outline of a building, a vague impression, a vague person, a vague date of his birth, a vague term of abuse, vague government’s communication, a vague tip-reimbursement policy, a vague way of doing things, vague early warning signals, a vague sense of uneasiness, the vague outline of a plane, vague symptoms of Coronavirus, vague feelings of sadness when thinking about the wispy memories of childhood, vague obscure battles of his own spirit, a vague undefined sense of excitement, vague shadowy figures, a vague gloom or faint recollection, a vague dim figure, an undefined authority, and more. 

Different languages around the world use words that mean vague. In looking at this list of translations of vague from Word Sense, you may notice that a lot of these look and sound similar to the word vague. These are called cognates, which are often formed when two words have the same root or language of origin. 

•  Polish: niejasny‎ (masc.)
•  Spanish: vago‎, impreciso‎
•  Czech: vágní‎
•  Bulgarian: неясен‎ (nejasen)
•  Esperanto: svaga‎
•  French: vague‎
•  Greek: ασαφής‎ (masc.), αόριστος‎ (masc.)
•  Turkish: anlaşılmaz‎, belirsiz‎, bulanık‎, karanlık‎, muğlak‎, (Ottoman) müphem‎, şüpheli‎, üstü kapalı‎
•  Swedish: vag‎, oklar‎
•  Portuguese: vago‎ (masc.)
•  Finnish: epämääräinen‎, ympäripyöreä‎
•  Dutch: vaag‎
•  Catalan: vague‎
•  Macedonian: нејасен‎, неодреден‎, магловит‎
•  Russian: нея́сный‎, нечёткий‎, неопределённый‎, расплы́вчатый‎
•  German: nebelhaft‎, schwach‎, unklar‎, undeutlich‎, ungenau‎, ungewiss‎, vage‎, verschwommen‎
•  Japanese: 曖昧‎ (aimai), 漠然‎
•  Italian: vago‎
•  Hebrew: עמום‎ (‘amum), מעורפל‎ (me‘urpal), לא ברור‎ (lo barur)
•  Mandarin: 模糊‎ (móhu), 糢糊‎ (móhu)

What is the origin of the word vague?

According to Etymonline, the word vague has been used since c16 and comes from the  Old French vague, Latin vagus, and Proto-Indo-European roots huog-o. This is a cognate with the Old Norse vakka, Old High German wankon, Old High German winkan, and Old English wincian. One can add the suffixes ness and ly to form the forms of speech vagueness (n.) and vaguely (adv.) 

How can the word vague be used in a sentence?

The word vague can be used in many different sentences in the English language. Using words in a sentence is a great way to memorize their definitions. You can also try making flashcards or quizzes to test your knowledge of the definitions of many different words. Try using this word of the day in a sentence today. You never know, it might become one of your new favorites. Below are a couple of examples of vague to get you started.

It was vague when the 42-year-old runner Diedrich would race again. Spokeswoman Rena Lunak said it could be in late March or early April with a wink. 

He began to wander around the home, pondering the vague mysteries of science and descriptions of human behavior. 

The cities software companies were vague about the hacking from the guest. Cisco said there was nothing to worry about, but the evidence was staggering. 

The student from Princeton University was vague about his impulse decision to light the frat house on fire. 

What are synonyms and antonyms of the word vague?

There are a number of different words that a person can choose to use in place of the word vague. These equivalent words are called synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same meaning or definition as another given word or phrase. Learning synonyms is a great way to easily expand your English language vocabulary and help you avoid repeating yourself when writing or speaking. The below list of synonyms for the word vague is provided by Power Thesaurus. 

•  indistinguishable
•  evasive
•  obscure
•  doubtful
•  weak
•  unspecific
•  fuzzy
•  ill-defined
•  blurred
•  nebulous
•  inattentive
•  indeterminate
•  undefinable
•  dim
•  dreamy
•  unspecified
•  mysterious
•  indecisive
•  imperceptible
•  dull
•  forgetful
•  unsure
•  indefinite
•  foggy
•  non-specific
•  debatable
•  wispy
•  faint
•  vagueness
•  shady
•  unclear
•  cloudy
•  confused
•  distrait
•  indefinable
•  formless
•  misty
•  blurry
•  rough
•  woolly
•  uncertain
•  undecided
•  unintelligible
•  fog
•  pale
•  unresolved
•  undetermined
•  shapeless
•  concealed
•  murky
•  inexact
•  abstruse
•  intangible
•  generalized
•  cryptic
•  dubious
•  absentminded
•  enigmatic
•  undefined
•  arguable
•  distracted
•  opaque
•  out of focus
•  loose
•  feeble
•  indiscernible
•  equivocal
•  general
•  sketchy
•  hidden
•  shadowy
•  slight
•  tenebrous
•  unsettled
•  imprecise
•  hazy
•  clouded
•  elusive
•  questionable
•  unfocused
•  impalpable
•  faraway
•  ballpark
•  ambivalent
•  dark
•  amorphous
•  incomplete
•  inexplicit
•  inconclusive
•  indistinct
•  approximate
•  nonspecific
•  unfixed
•  inaccurate
•  ambiguous
•  soft
•  bleary
•  unknown
•  broad
•  abstracted
•  distant

There are also plenty of different words that have the opposite meaning of the word vague. These opposite words are called antonyms, which are another great, quick and easy way to expand your English language vocabulary. This list of antonyms is also provided by Power Thesaurus.

•  clear-cut
•  distinct
•  particular
•  certain
•  unequivocal
•  firm
•  plain
•  decided
•  transparent
•  definitive
•  detail-oriented
•  detailed
•  fairly obvious
•  special
•  explicit
•  comprehensible
•  black and white
•  defined
•  apparent
•  strong
•  easy as pie
•  Clarity 
•  unambiguous
•  definite
•  categorical
•  precise
•  audible
•  alert
•  express
•  fun
•  become focus
•  obvious
•  specific
•  accurate
•  perspicuous
•  factual
•  become the focus
•  recognisably different
•  concrete
•  actual
•  determinate
•  clear
•  demonstrable
•  focused
•  assured
•  evident
•  direct
•  exact
•  sure
•  straightforward
•  crystal clear

Overall, the word vague means undefined or unclear. This word is an adjective.

Sources:

1. vague: meaning, origin, translation | Word Sense 
2. Vague synonyms – 2 024 Words and Phrases for Vague | Power Thesaurus 
3. Vague | Etymonline
4. Vague antonyms – 1 322 Opposites of Vague | Power Thesaurus 
5. Vague definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary 

Last Updated:
9 Apr 2023
— Updated example sentences

расплывчатый, смутный, неопределенный, неясный, рассеянный, неуловимый

прилагательное ↓

существительное ↓

Словосочетания

to confine oneself to vague generalities — ограничиться общими рассуждениями; ограничиваться общими заявлениями  
not the vaguest idea — ни малейшего представления  

Примеры с переводом

Примеры, ожидающие перевода

Возможные однокоренные слова

Формы слова

adjective
срав. степ. (comparative): vaguer
прев. степ. (superlative): vaguest

English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Middle French vague, from Latin vagus (“uncertain, vague”, literally “wandering, rambling, strolling”).

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /veɪɡ/
• (Upper Midwestern US) IPA^(key): /væɡ/
• Rhymes: -eɪɡ, -æɡ

Adjective[edit]

vague (comparative vaguer, superlative vaguest)

1. Not clearly expressed; stated in indefinite terms.

   • 1921, Bertrand Russell, The Analysis of Mind:

     It follows from what has been said that a vague thought has more likelihood of being true than a precise one. To try and hit an object with a vague thought is like trying to hit the bull’s eye with a lump of putty: when the putty reaches the target, it flattens out all over it, and probably covers the bull’s eye along with the rest. To try and hit an object with a precise thought is like trying to hit the bull’s eye with a bullet. The advantage of the precise thought is that it distinguishes between the bull’s eye and the rest of the target.

   • 2004: Chris Wallace, Character: Profiles in Presidential Courage

     Throughout the first week of his presidency, Dulles and Bissell continued to brief Kennedy on their strategy for Cuba, but the men were vague and their meetings offered little in the way of hard facts.

   Synonyms: inarticulate, unclear; see also Thesaurus:incomprehensible

2. Not having a precise meaning.

   a vague term of abuse

   Synonyms: ambiguous, equivocal

3. Not clearly defined, grasped, or understood; indistinct; slight.

   only a vague notion of what’s needed

   a vague hint of a thickening waistline

   I haven’t the vaguest idea.

   Synonyms: ambiguous, equivocal, indistinct, obscure; see also Thesaurus:vague

4. Not clearly felt or sensed; somewhat subconscious.

   a vague longing

5. Not thinking or expressing one’s thoughts clearly or precisely.
   • 1962, Philip Larkin, «Toads Revisited»

     Waxed-fleshed out-patients / Still vague from accidents, / And characters in long coats / Deep in the litter-baskets […]

   Synonym: dazed

6. Lacking expression; vacant.

   Synonyms: vacant, vacuous

7. Not sharply outlined; hazy.

   • 1922, Michael Arlen, “Ep./1/2”, in “Piracy”: A Romantic Chronicle of These Days:

     He walked. To the corner of Hamilton Place and Picadilly, and there stayed for a while, for it is a romantic station by night. The vague and careless rain looked like threads of gossamer silver passing across the light of the arc-lamps.

   Synonyms: fuzzy, hazy, ill-defined; see also Thesaurus:indistinct

8. Wandering; vagrant; vagabond.
   • 1630, John Hayward, The Life and Raigne of King Edward VI

     The Lord Gray incourag’d his men to set sharply upon the vague villains

   • 1819, John Keats, “The Eve of St. Agnes”, in Lamia, Isabella, the Eve of St. Agnes, and Other Poems, London: […] [Thomas Davison] for Taylor and Hessey, […], published 1820, →OCLC, stanza VIII, page 87:

     She danced along with vague, regardless eyes, / Anxious her lips, her breathing quick and short: […]

   Synonyms: erratic, roaming, unsettled, vagrant, vagabond

[edit]

Translations[edit]

Noun[edit]

vague (plural vagues)

1. (obsolete) A wandering; a vagary.
2. An indefinite expanse.
   • 1870, James Russell Lowell, The Cathedral

     The gray vague of unsympathizing sea.

Verb[edit]

vague (third-person singular simple present vagues, present participle vaguing, simple past and past participle vagued)

1. (archaic) to wander; to roam; to stray.
   • 1603, Philemon Holland (translator), The Philosophie, commonly called, the Morals

     [The soul] doth vague and wander.

2. To become vague or act in a vague manner.

   • 1894, Mrs. Campbell Praed, Christina Chard, page 52:

     Vaguely, yes. I’ve vagued all my life; that’s been my curse.

   • 1939, John Steinbeck, East of Eden:

     A man’s mind vagued up a little, for how can you remember the feel of pleasure or pain or choking emotion?

   • 2009, Zoe Foster Blake, Air Kisses, →ISBN:

     What’s with you? You’re all vagued out.

3. (Internet slang, intransitive) To make vague negative comments publicly; to make highly veiled complaints or insults.

   Synonym: vaguepost

Further reading[edit]

• vague in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• “vague”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
• vague at OneLook Dictionary Search

Catalan[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Latin vagus.

Pronunciation[edit]

• (Balearic) IPA^(key): /ˈva.ɡə/
• (Central) IPA^(key): /ˈba.ɡə/
• (Valencian) IPA^(key): /ˈva.ɡe/

Adjective[edit]

vague (feminine vaga, masculine and feminine plural vagues)

1. vague

Derived terms[edit]

• vagament

Further reading[edit]

• “vague” in Diccionari de la llengua catalana, segona edició, Institut d’Estudis Catalans.
• “vague”, in Gran Diccionari de la Llengua Catalana, Grup Enciclopèdia Catalana, 2023
• “vague” in Diccionari normatiu valencià, Acadèmia Valenciana de la Llengua.
• “vague” in Diccionari català-valencià-balear, Antoni Maria Alcover and Francesc de Borja Moll, 1962.

French[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /vaɡ/

Etymology 1[edit]

From Middle French [Term?], from Old French vague (“movement on the surface of a liquid, ripple”), from Old Norse vágr (“sea”), from Proto-Germanic *wēgaz (“wave, storm”), from Proto-Indo-European *weǵʰ- (“to drag, carry”).

Cognate with Swedish våg (“wave”), Middle Dutch waeghe, wage (“wave”), Old High German wāge (“wave”), Old English wǣg (“wave, billow, motion, flood”). More at waw, wave.

Noun[edit]

vague f (plural vagues)

1. wave
   • 2014, Indila, Comme un bateau

     Un peu comme un bateau qui trouve son équilibre entre les vagues et le chaos

     A little like a boat that finds its equilibrium between waves and chaos

Derived terms[edit]

• creux de la vague
• faire des vagues
• nouvelle vague
• vague de chaleur
• vague de froid
• vaguelette
• vaguette

Etymology 2[edit]

From Middle French vague, borrowed from Latin vagus (“uncertain, vague”, literally “wandering, rambling, strolling”). Possibly a doublet of gai.

Adjective[edit]

vague (plural vagues)

1. vague

Noun[edit]

vague m (plural vagues)

1. vagueness

   Synonym: distrait

Derived terms[edit]

• terrain vague
• vague à l’âme
• vaguement

Further reading[edit]

• “vague”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.

Galician[edit]

Verb[edit]

vague

1. first/third-person singular present subjunctive of vagar

Portuguese[edit]

Verb[edit]

vague

1. inflection of vagar:
   1. first/third-person singular present subjunctive
   2. third-person singular imperative

Spanish[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /ˈbaɡe/ [ˈba.ɣ̞e]
• Rhymes: -aɡe
• Syllabification: va‧gue

Verb[edit]

vague

1. inflection of vagar:
   1. first/third-person singular present subjunctive
   2. third-person singular imperative

vague — перевод на русский

/veɪg/

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Britannica Dictionary definition of VAGUE

[also more vague; most vague]