be vague

/biː veɪɡ/

unclear or imprecise

The instructions were vague, making it hard to follow.

The instructions lacked clarity, making it difficult to understand.

general

to be unclear, imprecise, or lacking in detail

He gave a vague answer when asked about his plans.

He responded in a way that was not specific or detailed.

The contract terms were vague, leading to confusion.

The contract terms were not clearly defined, causing misunderstandings.

Often used to describe speech, writing, or instructions that are not specific enough.

Collocations

be deliberately vagueto intentionally avoid giving clear detailsbe vague aboutto avoid being specific about something

to avoid talking directly about something

to not provide a clear conclusion or answer

When giving instructions or explanations, strive to be as clear and specific as possible to prevent misunderstandings.

In professional and formal settings, being vague can lead to confusion or misinterpretation. Always aim for precision.

From Middle English 'vague' (from Old French 'vague', meaning 'wandering, uncertain'), derived from Latin 'vagari' (to wander).

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

to exist or occur in a certain state

verb

vague

lacking clarity or precision

adjective

English Dictionary