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vague

adjective C1 Formal

Meaning

The term "vague" refers to a lack of clarity or precision in meaning, expression, or detail, often resulting in ambiguity that can hinder effective communication or understanding. It is commonly used to describe statements, ideas, or concepts that are not
💡 While "vague" is often used in everyday language, in academic contexts it is important to specify the degree of vagueness and its potential impact on interpretation, as overly vague language can undermine the credibility of an argument or analysis.

Example Sentences

The instructions were vague , causing confusion among the participants .
The instructions were vague , making it hard to understand the task .
The manager ’ s vague instructions caused confusion during the project meeting .
The study's conclusions remain vague due to insufficient data analysis .

Word in Context

When Marta arrived at the caf é, she found a small handwritten note on the table that gave her an immediate sense of unease . The message was deliberately vague , stating only a time and a location without any explicit purpose , so she had to decide whether to wait . She hesitated because meeting a stranger without context felt imprudent , yet the curious impression it left made her contemplate possible explanations . As she sipped her coffee she mentally outlined scenarios — an old friend returning unexpectedly , a misdelivered message , or a lighthearted prank — but none matched the sparse information . Eventually she wrote a polite note asking for clarification and left it where the other person would see it , hoping that a direct question would dissolve the uncertainty and bring the situation into focus .

Common Phrases

vague notion vague statement vague implications

Synonyms

Antonyms

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