vagueness
/ˈveɪɡnəs/ (bre, ipa) · [vˈeɡnɪs] /ˈveɪɡnəs/ (ame, ipa)
vagueness — noun
1. the state or quality of being uncertain or not clearly expressed — for example,
the state or quality of being uncertain or not clearly expressed — for example, when an answer, instruction, or description is too general for you to understand exactly what is meant.
Nora was frustrated by the vagueness of the hotel's cancellation policy.
uncountable: the vagueness of [noun phrase]
The vagueness of the job ad made it hard to know what skills were needed.
There is too much vagueness in the contract — we need clearer dates and amounts.
Lan asked for details, but the report's vagueness left her with more questions.
The teacher said vagueness in the essay would cost marks, so Sofia made every point specific.
- ambiguity
vagueness is broader; ambiguity specifically means something could be understood in more than one way
- imprecision
vagueness focuses on lack of detail; imprecision suggests numbers or measurements are not exact
- unclearness
more general and less common in everyday speech
文法句型
the vagueness of [something]
vagueness in [something]
用法筆記
Typically describes written or spoken information — instructions, rules, policies, definitions. Not used for physical objects or shapes (see sense 3).
常見錯誤
2. behaviour or speech that makes you think someone does not really know what they
behaviour or speech that makes you think someone does not really know what they are talking about, is not paying attention, or is avoiding a direct answer on purpose.
Bilal's vagueness about the deadline made his team worry he had not started the work.
vagueness about [topic / issue]
When asked about the missing money, the manager's vagueness only increased everyone's distrust.
Adina noticed a troubling vagueness in her grandfather's voice about his daily routine.
Greta answered with such vagueness that the officer asked her to repeat herself.
Paul's vagueness during the meeting suggested he had not read the report at all.
- evasiveness
stronger than vagueness — suggests an intentional attempt to hide the truth
- equivocation
formal; using language that has multiple meanings on purpose to avoid committing to one
- indirectness
vagueness through not saying things directly; vagueness can also be accidental
- directness
saying exactly what you mean without hiding anything
- frankness
honest and open behaviour in speech
文法句型
[someone's] vagueness about [something]
vagueness in [doing something]
用法筆記
Frequently followed by 'about' + topic ('vagueness about the details'). Often carries a negative tone — suggests the person is either unprepared or being deliberately unclear.
常見錯誤
3. the quality of being difficult to see clearly because the edges, outlines, or de
the quality of being difficult to see clearly because the edges, outlines, or details are not sharp — for example, when something is far away, in fog, or in dim light.
In the fog, the vagueness of the figure made it hard to tell a person from a tree.
vagueness of [something visible and unclear]
The vagueness of the old photo made it hard for Nia to see her grandmother's face.
The artist used soft colours on purpose, and the vagueness of the shapes made the painting feel dreamlike.
Élise squinted at the horizon, but the vagueness of the coastline in the evening light made navigation hard.
A sense of vagueness hung over the landscape as the sun set and hills turned grey.
- indistinctness
very close in meaning; vagueness is more common in everyday speech
- blurriness
suggests something is out of focus, like a photograph or vision
- fuzziness
informal; describes edges that are not clean or sharp
文法句型
the vagueness of [something visible]
用法筆記
Describes physical sight and visual perception — contrast with senses 1 and 2, which describe information and speech. Often used in descriptions of weather, distance, light, or artistic style.