unclear

/ʌnˈklɪr/
not easy to understand

The instructions were unclear, so I couldn't complete the task.

The instructions were confusing, making it difficult to follow them.


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

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