Nearby Words

vague

[veyg] Origin

vague

[veyg]
adjective, va·guer, va·guest.
1.
not clearly or explicitly stated or expressed: vague promises.
2.
indefinite or indistinct in nature or character, as ideas or feelings: a vague premonition of disaster.
3.
not clear or distinct to the sight or any other sense; perceptible or recognizable only in an indefinite way: vague shapes in the dark; vague murmurs behind a door.
4.
not definitely established, determined, confirmed, or known; uncertain: a vague rumor; The date of his birth is vague.
5.
(of persons) not clear or definite in thought, understanding, or expression: vague about his motives; a vague person.
EXPAND
6.
(of the eyes, expression, etc.) showing lack of clear perception or understanding: a vague stare.
COLLAPSE

Origin:
1540–50; (< Middle French ) < Latin vagus wandering

vague·ly, adverb
vague·ness, noun
un·vague, adjective
un·vague·ly, adverb
un·vague·ness, noun


1. unspecific, imprecise. 3. obscure, hazy, shadowy.

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Vague is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
Collins
World English Dictionary
vague (veɪɡ)
 
adj
1.  (of statements, meaning, etc) not explicit; imprecise: vague promises
2.  not clearly perceptible or discernible; indistinct: a vague idea; a vague shape
3.  not clearly or definitely established or known: a vague rumour
4.  (of a person or his expression) demonstrating lack of precision or clear thinking; absent-minded
 
[C16: via French from Latin vagus wandering, of obscure origin]
 
'vaguely
 
adv
 
'vagueness
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

vague
1540s, from M.Fr. vague, from L. vagus "wandering, rambling, vacillating, vague," of unknown origin.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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