| / English Dictionary |
VAGUE
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Not clearly expressed or understood
Example:
vague...forms of speech...have so long passed for mysteries of science
Synonyms:
Classified under:
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
Example:
a vague uneasiness
Synonyms:
undefined; vague
Classified under:
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
Example:
a few wispy memories of childhood
Synonyms:
dim; faint; shadowy; vague; wispy
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
indistinct (not clearly defined or easy to perceive or understand)
Derivation:
vagueness (indistinctness of shape or character)
Context examples:
He did not know why, but he felt oppressed by the vague sense of impending calamity.
(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)
As we entered I could have sworn I saw a vague bulk emerging to windward.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
She was made glad in vague ways by the battle, for this was the love-making of the Wild, the sex-tragedy of the natural world that was tragedy only to those that died.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
She was vexed with him, and as she walked beside him she had a vague feeling of outrage.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
Affected persons may be asymptomatic or have vague constitutional or gastrointestinal symptoms.
(Dubin-Johnson Syndrome, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)
This reproach of my dependence had become a vague sing-song in my ear: very painful and crushing, but only half intelligible.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
In the cloisters he had heard vague talk of the law—the mighty law which was higher than prelate or baron, yet no sign could he see of it.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
And the very name of play-actress had filled us both with a kind of vague horror, like the country-bred folk that we were.
(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Lead investigator at Addenbrooke's, Dr Shelley Dua, said: "Precautionary allergen labels on food such as the commonly used 'May contain traces of..." are currently quite vague and not very helpful.
(Poor Sleep, Lack of Exercise Increase Risk of Nut Allergy, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)
Vague wishes of getting Sarah thither, had occurred before to Mrs Musgrove and Henrietta; but without Anne, it would hardly have been resolved on, and found practicable so soon.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
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