vague
/veɪɡ/ (bre, ipa) · /veɪɡ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈvāg/ (ame, mw)
vague — 形容詞
- vaguepositive
- vagueercomparative
- vagueestsuperlative
1. not stated or explained in a clear or definite way, leaving room for doubt or mo
模糊；含糊
表達或描述不清的
not stated or explained in a clear or definite way, leaving room for doubt or more than one interpretation — for example, instructions that are vague do not tell you exactly what to do.
Christopher gave only a vague description of the man he had seen at the station.
Christopher 只對他在車站看到的那名男子給了模糊的描述。
vague description — lacking detail
The fire-safety instructions were so vague that nobody understood the evacuation plan.
消防安全說明寫得太含糊，沒有人看得懂疏散計畫。
Mira has a vague memory of visiting her grandmother's old house near the lake.
Mira 對小時候去祖母湖邊老屋的事只有模糊的記憶。
When the journalist pressed for details, the minister's answer was deliberately vague.
記者追問細節時，部長的回答刻意含糊其辭。
- ambiguous
stronger focus on having two or more possible meanings; 'vague' is broader and can mean simply lacking detail.
- unclear
more general and slightly less formal; can apply to any situation where meaning is not easy to grasp.
- hazy
more informal and often suggests confusion from poor memory or lack of attention.
文法句型
be + vague + about + (noun phrase / wh-clause)
vague + noun (idea / memory / description / answer)
用法筆記
Often carries a mildly negative tone when describing instructions, rules, or promises — it suggests that more clarity would have been expected or helpful.
常見錯誤
2. lacking a distinct outline or definable form, so that something is hard to see o
朦朧
輪廓不清難以辨識的
lacking a distinct outline or definable form, so that something is hard to see or identify — for example, a vague shape in the fog that could be either a person or a tree.
Through the morning fog, Lakshmi saw the vague outline of a church tower.
穿過晨霧，Lakshmi 看見一座教堂鐘樓朦朧的輪廓。
vague outline — unclear physical shape
The old photograph was too vague for anyone to recognise the faces in it.
那張舊照片太模糊了，沒有人認得出裡面的臉孔。
Baraka noticed a vague figure moving slowly behind the dusty window curtain.
Baraka 注意到灰塵滿布的窗簾後方有一個模糊的人影在移動。
As the sun set, the mountains became vague shapes against the darkening sky.
夕陽西下時，山脈在漸暗的天空中變成模糊的形狀。
- hazy
similar meaning for physical indistinctness, but 'hazy' is more atmospheric (mist, heat) whereas 'vague' focuses on the lack of clear outline.
- indistinct
slightly more formal; describes anything that is hard to perceive through any sense.
文法句型
vague + noun (outline / shape / figure / form)
be + vague
用法筆記
Most often used with nouns of visual perception (outline, shape, figure, form, silhouette). Unlike sense 1, this sense does not carry a negative judgement — it simply describes poor visibility.
3. unable to think or express thoughts clearly, or deliberately giving unclear answ
含糊其辭的
思路不清或故意迴避的
unable to think or express thoughts clearly, or deliberately giving unclear answers in order to avoid revealing information — for example, someone who becomes vague when asked about their weekend plans because they do not want to explain.
When Amelia asked about the missing receipts, her colleague became vague and changed the subject.
Amelia 問起那些不見的收據時，她的同事開始含糊其辭，還轉移了話題。
became vague — deliberately evasive
After the car accident, the driver gave vague, confused answers to the police officer.
車禍發生後，那名司機對警察的回答語焉不詳、思緒混亂。
Constanza was always vague about her past, never giving anyone a straight answer.
Constanza 對自己的過去一向含糊其辭，從來不給任何人直接的答案。
Ziad gave a vague reply, saying he would check with his manager first.
Ziad 給了含糊的回答，說他得先問問他的經理。
- evasive
stronger implication of intentional avoidance; 'vague' can also describe genuine confusion.
- absent-minded
implies forgetfulness or lack of focus rather than deliberate evasion.
- direct
opposite in the sense of giving straightforward answers.
- clear-headed
opposite in the sense of thinking lucidly.
文法句型
be + vague + about + (noun phrase)
become / get + vague
用法筆記
Can imply either genuine confusion or intentional evasiveness. The context — what the person is being vague about and why — determines which meaning is intended. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 applies to statements or ideas; sense 3 applies to the person's behaviour or mental state.