VAGUE

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does vague mean? 

• VAGUE (adjective)
  The adjective VAGUE has 3 senses:

1. not clearly expressed or understood

2. not precisely limited, determined, or distinguished

3. lacking clarity or distinctness

  Familiarity information: VAGUE used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• VAGUE (adjective)

Comparative: vaguer   
Superlative: vaguest   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not clearly expressed or understood

Synonyms:

obscure; vague

Context example:

vague...forms of speech...have so long passed for mysteries of science

Similar:

unclear (not clear to the mind)

Derivation:

vagueness (unclearness by virtue of being poorly expressed or not coherent in meaning)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Not precisely limited, determined, or distinguished

Synonyms:

undefined; vague

Context example:

a vague uneasiness

Similar:

indefinable; undefinable (not capable of being precisely or readily described; not easily put into words)

Also:

indefinite (vague or not clearly defined or stated)

Derivation:

vagueness (unclearness by virtue of being poorly expressed or not coherent in meaning)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Lacking clarity or distinctness

Synonyms:

dim; faint; shadowy; vague; wispy

Context example:

a few wispy memories of childhood

Similar:

indistinct (not clearly defined or easy to perceive or understand)

Derivation:

vagueness (indistinctness of shape or character)

 Context examples 

And yet I cannot see anything save very vague indications.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I had some vague recollection of an explanation at the time of the Adventure of the Greek Interpreter.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

When you do get symptoms, they are often vague or you may not notice them.

(Pancreatic Cancer, NIH: National Cancer Institute)

Yet I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay upon the ground to the left of me.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It is all dark and horrid to me, for I can remember nothing; but I am full of vague fear, and I feel so weak and worn out.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

“That’s rather vague,” said Sherlock Holmes.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But when Laurie was gone, and peace prevailed again, the vague anxiety returned and haunted her.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

In the deep shadow of the tree there was a deeper shadow yet, black, inchoate, vague—a crouching form full of savage vigor and menace.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He was aware of vague memories of rain and wind and snow, but whether he had been beaten by the storm for two days or two weeks he did not know.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

“Oh, Trot!” she said again; “blind, blind!” and without knowing why, I felt a vague unhappy loss or want of something overshadow me like a cloud.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)