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vague
/vaɡ/
wave
Une vague géante a frappé la côte.
A giant wave hit the coast.
neutral
A moving ridge or swell on the surface of water, often caused by wind or tides.
Les vagues étaient hautes après la tempête.
The waves were high after the storm.
Can also describe a sudden increase or surge in a non-physical context (e.g., 'une vague de colère').
neutral
Not clearly or explicitly stated or expressed; imprecise or unclear.
Ses explications étaient vagues.
His explanations were vague.
Often used to describe speech, writing, or ideas lacking detail.
neutral
A large number of similar things or people happening or appearing at the same time.
Une vague de protestations a éclaté dans le pays.
A wave of protests broke out in the country.
Common in figurative usage to describe sudden, widespread phenomena.
Collocations
vague de chaleurheatwavevague de froidcold snapvague de fondunderlying trendvague (in)certainevague (un)certain
Pro Tip
Distinguishing 'vague' (noun) vs. 'vague' (adjective)
When 'vague' is a noun, it refers to a physical wave or a surge (e.g., 'une vague de protestataires'). When it's an adjective, it describes something unclear or imprecise (e.g., 'une réponse vague').
Gold Rule
Using 'vague' as an adjective
Always place 'vague' after the noun it modifies in French (e.g., 'une idée vague', not 'vague idée').
Word Origin
From Old French 'vague' (13th century), from Italian 'vaga' (wave), from Latin 'vagus' (wandering, uncertain). The noun sense 'wave' is attested earlier than the adjective sense 'vague'.
Usage Notes
As a noun, 'vague' is feminine. As an adjective, it agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies (e.g., 'une idée vague', 'des réponses vagues').
Dictionnaire Français-Anglais