vague

VAYG/veɪɡ/

10 meanings of vague

1
adjective
Not clear or exact, without details, so it is hard to know exactly what is meant.
Like pointing in a general direction instead of giving the exact address.
His answer was so vague that we still didn't know the plan.
She made a vague promise to help us sometime later.
UsageSay she was vague about the plan.
Similarindefinite
Oppositeclear, precise, specific, explicit
Note
2
adjective
Not clear in your mind. Only partly remembered, understood, or felt.
Like seeing a shape in thick fog without knowing what it is.
I have only a vague idea of how the engine works.
There was a vague memory of the song, but the words were gone.
UsageSay a vague idea when you know a little.
Similarhazy, faint, dim, fuzzy, indistinct
Oppositeclear, vivid, distinct, sharp
3
blurryadjective
Without clear edges, so it looks blurry or hazy.
Like a photo taken when the camera was out of focus.
The mountains looked vague through the morning mist.
Only a vague outline of the ship showed on the horizon.
Similarhazy, fuzzy, dim, indistinct, obscure
Oppositesharp, distinct, clear, crisp
4
adjective
Of a person: not thinking or speaking clearly, or not paying attention, often with an empty, distracted look.
Like someone answering questions while half asleep.
Grandpa gets vague when he's tired and loses his train of thought.
She looked vague and didn't seem to hear my question.
UsageSay he gets vague when tired.
Similarabsent-minded, distracted, vacant, dreamy
Oppositealert, focused, sharp
Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of vague apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Latin vagus, meaning "wandering" and "uncertain," which came into English through Middle French vague.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

English vague derives from Latin vagus through Middle French vague. en.wiktionary.org
Latin vagus meant wandering and uncertain. en.wiktionary.org

vague

10 meanings of vague

Less common meanings

Practice

Origin