vague

Definitions

From Latin vagus ('wandering'). A wandering thing has no fixed place — and therefore no fixed shape or edge. That image carried straight into meaning: a vague idea is one that 'drifts,' refusing to hold still long enough to be pinned down. So 'wandering' became 'unclear, imprecise.'

Why It Means This

Vague is the bridge between the literal and the abstract sides of this root. Latin vagus described something physically roaming with no fixed place; English kept the 'unfixed' part but dropped the motion. Anything that won't settle into clear outlines — a memory, an answer, a plan — is vague. The opposite, 'precise,' is really 'pinned in place.'

Common Collocations

• 1.a vague idea模糊的想法
• 2.a vague memory隐约的记忆
• 3.vague about something对某事含糊其辞
• 4.remain vague保持含糊
• 5.vague answer含糊的回答

Example Sentences

• 1.

  She gave only a vague answer when I asked about her plans.

• 2.

  I have a vague memory of meeting him years ago.

• 3.

  The instructions were so vague that nobody knew what to do.

• 4.

  He was a bit vague about where the money had gone.

Easily Confused

vague vs ambiguous — Both mean 'not clear,' but vague lacks detail (a vague plan gives you too little to go on), while ambiguous has too many possible meanings (an ambiguous sentence can be read two ways). Vague = blurry and thin; ambiguous = clear words, unclear which reading is meant.

Synonym Comparison