Vocapedia
Log inTry for Free
Log in

Looking up...

Words

  • Words of the Year
  • Recent Lookups
  • My Dictionary

Languages

  • English
  • Vietnamese
  • Japanese
  • Chinese
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Korean
  • German

Features

  • Words of the Year
  • My Collections List
  • Reviews
  • Learning Resources
  • Community Collections

Learn

  • How It Works
  • Study Guides
  • Language Tips
  • FAQ
  • Getting Started
  • For Individuals
  • For Teachers

Community

  • Forum
  • Blog
  • Help Center
  • Partnerships

About

  • About Vocapedia
  • Contact Us
  • Feedback

Legal

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility
  • GDPR Compliance
© 2026 Vocapedia. All rights reserved.

unclear

/ʌnˈklɪr/
adjective★Intermediate
general

not easily understood or explained; ambiguous or vague

His speech was unclear, leaving the audience confused.

His speech was ambiguous, causing confusion among listeners.

The rules of the game were unclear to new players.

The rules were not well-defined, making it hard for beginners to understand.

💡

Often used to describe language, instructions, or situations that lack clarity.

Collocations

unclear aboutnot sure or confused about somethingunclear onnot having a clear understanding of something

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

clear as mudidiom
extremely unclear or confusing

💡Pro Tip

Usage Tip

Use 'unclear' to describe something that is not easily understood, such as instructions, rules, or explanations.

⚡Gold Rule

Clarity Rule

When something is unclear, it is important to ask for clarification to avoid misunderstandings.

📖Word Origin

From Middle English 'unclere', from Old English 'unclǣre', meaning 'not clear' or 'obscure'.

📝Usage Notes

Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe a lack of clarity in communication or situations.

Word Breakdown

un-
not
prefix
+
clear
easy to understand
root
English Dictionary

Learning Progress

Track your learning journey!

• Save words to build your vocabulary

• Monitor your daily streak

• Get personalized review reminders

• See words learned statistics

Log in to access advanced features and track your progress!

Go to Dashboard →

Recent Lookups

The most recent words being looked up. Stay up to date with what language learners are exploring.