vague
Vague (adj) means not clearly expressed, defined, or understood; lacking precise detail. Example: “His directions were so vague that we got lost twice.”
How to Use Vague
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUnclear or lacking specific detail — something you can't quite pin down.
If a description leaves you with more questions than answers, it's vague.
Trace the full origin ↓Word Forms
vaguer comparative, vagued past tense, vagues plural, vagues singular, vaguest superlative
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
His directions were so _____ that we got lost twice.
Etymology
From Latin vagus, meaning "wandering, uncertain" — the same root that gives us "vagrant" and "vagabond."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related Words
Rhymes for vague
See all rhymes for vague →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “vague” mean?
The word “vague” means not clearly expressed, defined, or understood; lacking precise detail. In plain terms, unclear or lacking specific detail — something you can't quite pin down.
How do you pronounce “vague”?
“Vague” is pronounced vayg (/veɪɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “vague” in a sentence?
Here is “vague” used in a sentence: “His directions were so vague that we got lost twice.”
What is another word for “vague”?
Words with a similar meaning to “vague” include ambiguous, equivocal, fuzzy, generic, gray and imperspicuous.
What is the opposite of “vague”?
The opposite of “vague” — its antonyms — are certain, definable, clear, defined and determinate.
What part of speech is “vague”?
“Vague” is an adjective.
Where does the word “vague” come from?
The word “vague” comes from Latin. From Latin vagus, meaning "wandering, uncertain" — the same root that gives us "vagrant" and "vagabond.".
Is “vague” a common word?
“Vague” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "vague" and "ambiguous"?
"Vague" means lacking precise detail or not clearly defined, so it gives too little information to be clear. "Ambiguous" means open to more than one interpretation, so it gives information that could be read in different ways; something vague is unclear, while something ambiguous is confusingly double-meaning.
What is the difference between "vague" and "obscure"?
"Vague" means not clearly expressed or defined and lacking detail, while "obscure" means hard to understand or not well known. A vague statement is fuzzy and imprecise, whereas an obscure one may be precise but difficult or unfamiliar.
What nouns commonly follow "vague"?
"Vague" often describes idea, notion, feeling, sense, memory, and answer, as in "a vague memory" or "a vague sense of unease." These pairings reflect its meaning of something indistinct or not clearly felt or remembered.