vague
Hard to grasp
Vague describes something unclear, indefinite, or lacking precise boundaries.
A vague answer doesn't commit to specifics.
A vague memory is hazy rather than sharp.
A vague shape in the fog can't be identified.
Someone who is vague may be evasive or simply uncertain: She was vague about her plans for the weekend.
Far away or aloof
- fadedLost original color
- fleetingPassing very quickly
- fragmentaryConsisting of incomplete parts
- patchyIrregular in coverage
sketchy · uncertain · dim · elusive · shadowy · impressionistic · dreamlike · fuzzy
Nearly accurate but inexact
- ballparkSports venue or estimate
- roughUneven in surface
- generalWidespread, not specialized
- looseNot firmly secured
sketchy · broad · inexact · unspecific · fuzzy · indeterminate · hand-wavy · woolly
Uncertain in meaning
- noncommittalNot expressing clear opinion
- evasiveAvoiding direct response
- unclearNot easily understood
- indefiniteNot precisely determined
cryptic · enigmatic · oblique · uncertain · dubious · unspecific · elliptical · hedging
Troubled, not calm
- undefinedNot clearly delineated
- inchoatePartially formed, undeveloped
- namelessWithout any designation
- diffuseSpread thinly throughout
formless · unsettled · undefinable · intangible · ineffable · amorphous · indescribable · unplaceable
distant
Far away or aloof
- fadedLost original color
- fleetingPassing very quickly
- fragmentaryConsisting of incomplete parts
patchy · sketchy · uncertain · dim · elusive · shadowy · impressionistic · dreamlike · fuzzy · incomplete
misty
Obscured by vapor
dim · shadowy · murky · gauzy · soft-focus · bleary · smudged · indistinct · filmy · diffuse
approximate
Nearly accurate but inexact
loose · sketchy · broad · inexact · unspecific · fuzzy · indeterminate · hand-wavy · woolly · squishy
equivocal
Uncertain in meaning
- noncommittalNot expressing clear opinion
- evasiveAvoiding direct response
- unclearNot easily understood
indefinite · cryptic · enigmatic · oblique · uncertain · dubious · unspecific · elliptical · hedging · weaselly
uneasy
Troubled, not calm
diffuse · formless · unsettled · undefinable · intangible · ineffable · amorphous · indescribable · unplaceable · floating
- confusionconfusion, confused, bewilderment, perplexity, baffled
- Imprecisefuzzy, rough, hazy, murky, blurry
- misunderstandingmisunderstand, misinterpret, miscommunication, misconception, misconstrue
- mysteriousmysterious, cryptic, enigmatic, arcane, obscure
- uncertaintyuncertainty, uncertain, unknown, unsure, unclear
- visibilityvisibility, visible, invisible, hidden, hide
vagueprecise
Exactly correct, no error
specific · exact · definite · explicit · well-defined
vaguedirect
Undeviating or to guide
forthright · frank · explicit · straightforward · candid
- vagus nerveMajor parasympathetic cranial pathway
- nouvelle vagueFrench for emerging trend
- vague intentionUnclear purpose to act
- vagabond lifeHomeless wandering existence
vagrant, vaguely, vagabond, vagueness, vagary, vaguest, vagus, vaguer