Dictionary

vague

adjective \ˈvāg\

: not clear in meaning : stated in a way that is general and not specific

: not thinking or expressing your thoughts clearly or precisely

: not completely formed or developed

vagu·ervagu·est

Full Definition of VAGUE

1
a :  not clearly expressed :  stated in indefinite terms <vague accusations>
b :  not having a precise meaning <a vague term of abuse>
2
a :  not clearly defined, grasped, or understood :  indistinct <only a vague notion of what's needed>; also :  slight <a vague hint of a thickening waistline> <hasn't the vaguest idea>
b :  not clearly felt or sensed :  somewhat subconscious <a vague longing>
3
:  not thinking or expressing one's thoughts clearly or precisely <vague about dates and places>
4
:  lacking expression :  vacant <vague eyes> <a vague stare>
5
:  not sharply outlined :  hazy <met by vague figures with shaded torchlights — Earle Birney>
vague·ly adverb
vague·ness noun
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Examples of VAGUE

  1. When my three years of military service ended, I looked around for some way to get to spend time in rural Vietnam as a civilian. The driving force was still primarily intellectual curiosity, along with a desire to improve my language ability in a non-Western language and some vague idea of doing folkloristic or literary studies in the future. —Neil L. Jamieson, Understanding Vietnam, (1993) 1995

Origin of VAGUE

Middle French, from Latin vagus, literally, wandering
First Known Use: 1548

Synonym Discussion of VAGUE

obscure, dark, vague, enigmatic, cryptic, ambiguous, equivocal mean not clearly understandable. obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge <obscure poems>. dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion <muttered dark hints of revenge>. vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration <a vague sense of obligation>. enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality <enigmatic occult writings>. cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning <cryptic hints of hidden treasure>. ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation <an ambiguous directive>. equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading <moral precepts with equivocal phrasing>.

Rhymes with VAGUE

VAGUE Defined for Kids

vague

adjective \ˈvāg\
vagu·ervagu·est

Definition of VAGUE for Kids

1
:  not clearly expressed <a vague answer>
2
:  not clearly understood or sensed <They knew in a vague way what they wanted.>
3
:  not clearly outlined <At first Rosalind could see only vague shapes … — Jeanne Birdsall, The Penderwicks>
vague·ly adverb
vague·ness noun

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