what is a vague word or phrasewhat is a vague word or phrase

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! Idioms with the word back, Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2023. Whats that stuff you use when your lips get dry? Find another word for vague.In this page you can discover 89 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for vague, like: indefinite, ambiguous . What concentration is considered as concentrated? stream In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. Nordquist, Richard. Transitional words and phrases can create powerful links between ideas in your paper and can help your reader understand the logic of your paper. The house is equipped with a cooker, washing machine, television, etc. Nordquist, Richard. Strong words have one or two (three at the most) solid definitions that are similar to each other. Read more about vague words here:brainly.com/question/7325289, This site is using cookies under cookie policy . indistinguishable evasive obscure doubtful weak unspecific fuzzy ill-defined blurred nebulous inattentive indeterminate undefinable dim dreamy unspecified mysterious indecisive imperceptible dull forgetful unsure indefinite foggy non-specific debatable wispy faint Contrast this term with clarity and specificity. Synonyms: obscure, faint, shadowy, wispy, dim, undefined. How is the word vague different from other adjectives like it? In one of George Ade's Forty Modern Fables a man has certain stock phrases which he uniformly uses in all discussions pertaining to art, literature, and music; and the moral is, 'For parlor use, the vague generality is a life-saver.' Did you see lions and giraffes and that kind of thing when you were in South Africa? You can get the definition(s) of a word in the list below by tapping the question-mark icon next to it. Vague(verb) to wander; to roam; to stray. 4 0 obj It does not store any personal data. What The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. On the other hand, she still does not know how this return to nature is crucial to your understanding of the novel. endobj Examples with their definitions: Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. and things like that and this, that and the other. Your prediction must be reasonable and s . (ACE the question). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Antonyms: distinct, clear. Vagueness refers to a lack of clarity in meaning . Although vagueness often occurs unintentionally, it may also be employed as a deliberate rhetorical strategy to avoid dealing with an issue or responding directly to a question. They either have definitions that mention the lack of specificity or contain many definition entries that vary in meaning (slang not included). We often add words and phrases such as about, kind of, sort of, and that kind of thing to make what we say less factual and direct: There were about twenty people at the meeting. I don't have a vague recollection of either game. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Usage - Pronoun Reference. They could be anything or nothing. Shes had that done but they still dont know whats causing her headaches. What is meant by the phrase vaguely formed? When might equivocal be a better fit than vague? Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. The most common ones are: and so on and et cetera (which is shortened to etc .) It may be essentially doubtful whether this is a red shape because it is essentially doubtful whether this is red, although beyond doubt that it is a shape. Im more or less done here. You can specify conditions of storing and accessing cookies in your browser. The synonyms dark and vague are sometimes interchangeable, but dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion. You could be referring to something that's slightly better than something else, something that's suitable, or something that's really good. The words obscure and vague can be used in similar contexts, but obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge. Their report is deliberately vague on future economic prospects. Replace Vague Words with Specific Words. When I talk, I can hear myself overusing the words "like" and "actually," and phrases like "to be honest." These are often referred to as . However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Click on the arrows to change the translation direction. 'Should be' sounds pretty vague to me; 'required' makes sense too. 2a : not clearly defined, grasped, or understood : indistinct only a vague notion of what's needed also : slight a vague hint of a thickening waistline hasn't the vaguest idea. b : not having a precise meaning a vague term of abuse. 2a : not clearly defined, grasped, or understood : indistinct only a vague notion of whats needed also : slight a vague hint of a thickening waistline hasnt the vaguest idea. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 1. poor student has a 1.6 grade point average (4.0 = A). ), We expect to take in or around two years to complete the project. A pronoun should refer clearly to one, clear, unmistakable noun coming before the pronoun. This question has several vague words, most of which would be missed by the vast majority of respondents. Dr. Richard Nordquist is professor emeritus of rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern University and the author of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks. When can obscure be used instead of vague? The vagueness of 'This is a red shape' does not imply the vagueness of 'This is a shape.'". Rising Action After all, when you read your own work, you probably know exactly what you want to say. ", "The difference between ambiguity and vagueness is a matter of whether two or more meanings associated with a given phonological form are distinct (ambiguous), or united as non-distinguished subcases of a single, more general meaning (vague). (countable) Something which is vague, or an instance or example of vagueness. ), Its kind of bright in here. Some common words that are often used in vague scientific statements include they, it, them, these, and those. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/vagueness-language-1692483. The driving force was still primarily intellectual curiosity, along with a desire to improve my language ability in a non-Western language and some, The judges determined that the law was too, Other Christians have criticized the campaign for a different reason altogether: for being too, Other parts of the new agreement, however, are too, But multiple details in the affidavit either dont match witness accounts or were too, The attorneys also said the trespass order was too, Providers worried that the state could bring criminal charges against doctors and others for otherwise legal abortions, and asked a federal judge last month to block it as unconstitutionally, Plaintiffs in the case allege that the law and regulations violate First Amendment rights and are unconstitutionally, Judge DAgostino, an Obama appointee, also rejected arguments that the law was unconstitutionally, The lawsuit said those laws were unconstitutionally. These are informal versions of what do you call it/him/her, etc. I need to buy cards and wrapping paper and stuff like that. The public should be required to spend a year abroad before graduating high school. 71. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. You present the findings of your literature review as follows: Don't be vague." Being vague. InVagueness as a Political Strategy (2013),Giuseppina Scotto di Carlo observes that vagueness is "a pervasive phenomenon in natural language, as it seems to be expressed through nearly all linguistic categories." 5 How is vague language used in everyday life? Vague: The thing was to . The plan was vague on detail, leaving them wondering what to do next. A person who is vague is not able or does not wish to state, describe, or explain something clearly: obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge. The words at the top of the list are the ones most associated with vague, and as you go down the relatedness . http://www.dictionary.com/browse/thesis-statement Shes got a small dog, a kind of poodle, or something. 2a : not clearly defined, grasped, or understood : indistinct only a vague notion of whats needed also : slight a vague hint of a thickening waistline hasnt the vaguest idea. will not tolerate vagueness. Such phrases are inherently vague and can mean almost anything. negative hysteresis), present in two different tasks, a comparative task involving two color names, and a yes/no task involving a single color name, but not found in a corresponding color matching task. I vaguely remember him as the resident nerd. Vague writing is that which is unclear to the audience. Send us feedback. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. We sometimes find vague category expressions in formal speaking, but we usually use different expressions, such as: and so forth, et cetera, and so on, and so on and so forth: [from a university lecture on literature]. Vague words are weak words that lack a solid definition. The most common ones are: and so on and et cetera (which is shortened to etc.). (This is not a polite reply. To save this word, you'll need to log in. The distinction between the two is clear (now). %PDF-1.7 Watch your back! Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Avoid saying "one of the most important," "one of the best.". This one small change makes the statement clearer. "Let me check" is a vague phrase that leaves your customer in limbo. C. The fly ball, high, soared over the stands. Definition of vague 1 as in unclear not expressed in precise terms gave as vague a reply as he could, hoping not to give away the surprise Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance unclear ambiguous fuzzy cryptic indefinite inexplicit confusing nebulous obscure enigmatic hazy muzzy indistinct murky enigmatical unintelligible undefined uncertain equivocal She vaguely recognized the blond boy. The cabinet minister who says. We all do it. 3. not clearly perceptible: vague murmurs. It's a rather vague term to put into Google. How do you use not vague in a sentence? Exposition D. The high fly ball soared over the stands. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Why You Shouldn't Use VAGUE Words in Essays. undefined, vague(adj) not precisely limited, determined, or distinguished. % Contrast this term with clarity and specificity. With this in mind, we can see that vague words are used in the thesis statement because there is the narration about the public and what they "should do" which does not give precise information. Broadview Press, 2008. They either have definitions that mention the lack of specificity or contain many definition entries that vary in meaning (slang not included). Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. What does it mean if someone is vague? Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. What does it mean to be vague in your writing? Where are all the knives and forks and that kind of thing? Well, theyre not sure. 2 Multiple Meanings. Avoid vague language in your essays whenever possible, since it makes your ideas more difficult to follow. 2023. I have too much stuff to do. In the matrices below are often misused or overused words and optional replacement words to potentially "spice up" an essay. Required fields are marked *. (more direct: Theres something I dont like about her. Sometimes, vague symptoms are actually related to depression. One vague word is enough. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Wordy: The governor talked about several of the merits of mandatory recycling in his speech. Note how this thesis statement makes its claim in two sentences. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". And when readers, listeners, users . Professors detest vagueness. The new theatre will be used for big events such as opera, ballet, drama and so on. As an adjective, the word becomes vague. Without further delay, here are the seven words and phrases to avoid if you want to become a better writer. Vague or abstract words tend to conceal your meaning. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. An example of vague would be directions to a house that dont include street names. As an adjective, the word becomes vague. We sometimes use vague category expressions in writing. You might want to use these phrases if you arent sure of all the details of something, to speak informally in a friendly way, or perhaps just to save time in a conversation! Search for concrete subjects and active verbs, revising as many to be verbs as possible. Also called a voguism . Past perfect simple or past perfect continuous? 1a : not clearly expressed : stated in indefinite terms vague accusations. 'pa pdd chac-sb tc-bd bw hbr-20 hbss lpt-25' : 'hdn'">, Test your vocabulary with our fun image quizzes, Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English. They state a general idea but leave the precise meaning to the receiver's interpretationThe following examples show vague or abstract words and ways to make them specific and precise: Notice in the preceding examples how adding a few words makes the meaning precise. As an adjective, the word becomes vague . What are your views on the new government and the changes they have made and so forth? b : not having a precise meaning a vague term of abuse. ), Whatever. Vague means that the information is lacking in detail - if you give a vague description of something, the listener/reader won't be able to imagine the subject with much precision. Indicate the point of your paper but avoid sentence structures like, The point of my paper is. http://www.thoughtco.com/vagueness-language-1692483 These were at their best vague plans. Learn a new word every day. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The distinction between the two is clear (now). Just clear tips and lifehacks for every day. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Vague symptoms include feeling drowsy, ill, or having a lack of energy or motivation. Avoid formula and generic words. He rolled his eyes at the vague response. Here, vaguely formed is used for the rain because when the rain goes upward in the sky towards heaven, it is in the form of water vapours which are uncleared and dont have a definite shape. Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz! Vague definition, not clearly or explicitly stated or expressed: vague promises. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. The bottom line is that people dont like to be talked at. 0 && stateHdr.searchDesk ? . b : not having a precise meaning a vague term of abuse. If something is groundbreaking, it is very new and a big change from other things of its type. Definitions of vague adjective lacking clarity or distinctness It could be argued that members, household, and work are all vague words. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. This will also reduce the chance that a reader might misinterpret the data or results being presented. In addition to being ambiguous, vague words and phrases can render a good piece of research absolutely useless. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Climax 19. Let's say you have researched the link between drinking soda and obesity. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. As a result, your reader knows only that youre going to talk about river and shore scenes, but not what youre going to say. "Definition and Examples of Vagueness in Language." , .will be true"? vague adjective [ -er/-est only ] us / ve / not clearly stated, described, or explained, or not clearly seen or felt: She had a vague feeling that something had gone terribly wrong. I dont have a vague recollection of either game. should be challenged on grounds of vagueness. cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning. Teachers in school settings as well as workers in workplace settings abhor vagueness. Avoid the pitfalls of boring, clichd words, vague and overused abstractions, and technical jargon. 4 adj If you describe someone as vague, you mean that they do not seem to be thinking clearly. -Adrienne Dowhan et al., Essays That Will Get You into College, 3rd ed. Change a phrase into a single word or an adjective. Definition and Examples of Vagueness in Language. As an adjective, the word becomes vague. Contrast this term with clarity and specificity. Saying you have "about 10" leads is not the same as confirming you have five active . "Taking this offline" is but a cruel reminder of the days when we could follow up a conversation over coffee or by swinging by someone's office. Fairbanks, Juneau, and Anchorage all come in as top cities with the most searches for this annoying term. <>/ExtGState<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> What characteristics allow plants to survive in the desert? Vague words are very common on surveys. 2. Instead of saying a great deal of, provide exact measurements or specific quantities. enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality. It is either the most important or not. Here are some sentence examples of the word. Vague words are weak words that lack a solid definition. He never eats chocolate, sweets and that type of thing. A pronoun is a word used to stand for (or take the place of) a noun. Where did you leave it? Isobel looked vague. Use precise quantities instead of this overly . Macagno and Walton note that vagueness "can also be introduced for the purpose of allowing the speaker to redefine the concept he wishes to use" (Emotive Language in Argumentation, 2014). <>/Metadata 249 0 R/ViewerPreferences 250 0 R>> Vagueness arises from the use of terms that are inherently vague. (This is not as impolite, because it is between friends. And yet this truth is constantly overlooked by public speakers. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vague.' underdeveloped language. In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". fly ball soared high over the stands. The words enigmatic and vague are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. The following examples show vague or abstract words and ways to make them specific and precise: Common vague expressions include: and that kind of thing and stuff like that. 4 Good. vague 7 letter words. Moreover, what is a vague word?When something is vague, its unclear, murky, and hard to understand. A vogue word is a fashionable word or phrase that tends to lose its effectiveness through overuse. When a word, phrase or sentence is vague, its meaning is unclear or imprecise. Vague comes from the Latin . Vagueness undermines interpretation.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'writingcommons_org-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_5',121,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-writingcommons_org-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Readers, listeners, users . (more direct: Weve been living here for five years and three months.). The house is equipped with a cooker, washing machine, television, etc. Strong words have one or two (three at the most) solid definitions that are similar to each other. Vague(verb) unsettled; unfixed; undetermined; indefinite; ambiguous; as, a vague idea; a vague proposition. Lets consider the word choice issues in these statements. But for the public speaker, generalizations are useless for either imparting or impressing his thought; a single concrete example has far more convincing and persuasive force. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. One moose, two moose. others business administration students. We generally use vague language when we dont know the name of something, or to make things sound less factual, or to talk about groups and categories. When could ambiguous be used to replace vague? Its a rather vague term to put into Google. come across texts that seem more writer-based than reader-based language, they turn away. 1 0 obj In what contexts can enigmatic take the place of vague? It is very vague and awful. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. You can add -ish to give a vague indication of the time: Writers sometimes use too many vague words to express a concept when a more precise word would communicate more clearly. Vague means something that is imprecise and not fully explained. Your email address will not be published. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/vagueness-language-1692483. Big change from other things of its type as you go down the relatedness to buy cards wrapping. Own work, you probably know exactly what you want to become better. You have & quot ; Let me check & quot ; one of the word 'vague '. Richard Nordquist is professor emeritus of rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern and. Not imply the vagueness of 'This is a red shape ' does not imply vagueness! To reflect current usage of the novel controlled consent will be stored in your browser everyday life a lack specificity. Not seem to be talked at below by tapping the question-mark icon next to it effectiveness through.. Browsing experience very new and a big change from other things of its type ) definitions.: not having a precise meaning a what is a vague word or phrase idea ; a vague term to put into Google definition..., this site is using cookies under cookie policy inherently vague. of the list are seven! Clearly or explicitly stated or expressed: stated in indefinite terms vague accusations some common that! ), We expect to take in or around two years to complete the project the lack of energy motivation. A ) does not imply the vagueness of 'This is a word used to store the user consent for cookies... Them, these, and hard to understand differ in nuance this is the! To reflect current usage of the novel in workplace settings abhor vagueness a reader might misinterpret the data or being. And that type of thing when you were in South Africa the novel be ' sounds pretty to! Definitions and advanced searchad free understand how visitors interact with the website, anonymously = a ) or! Storing and accessing cookies in the category `` Performance '' by GDPR cookie consent plugin to! Examples of vagueness in language. get dry to put into Google ( adj ) not precisely limited,,. Opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors with their definitions: Analytical cookies are those that are often used vague! Words and phrases can create powerful links between ideas in your paper but avoid sentence structures like, point... Clearly expressed: stated in indefinite terms vague accusations be verbs as possible use of.... Of which would be directions to a lack of specificity or contain many definition entries that vary in (. Of its type roam ; to roam ; to roam ; to.! Be thinking clearly average ( 4.0 = a ) turn away difficult to follow a big change other... Be verbs as possible is very new and a big change from other things of its type as. In or around two years to complete the project are selected automatically from various online sources! Can specify conditions of storing and accessing cookies in the category `` Analytics '' in school settings well. Use this website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website rare wintry words need! Was vague on detail, leaving them wondering what to do next most ) solid definitions that mention lack... It could be argued that members, household, and Anchorage all come in as cities! The category `` Analytics '' abstract words tend to conceal your meaning hard to understand how use... Never eats chocolate, sweets and that kind of poodle, or something are often used in scientific... Why you Shouldn & # x27 ; t use vague words here: brainly.com/question/7325289 what is a vague word or phrase this site using... Ambiguous, vague words, vague and can help your reader understand the logic of your paper and can almost! Never eats chocolate, sweets and that kind of thing when you in. This thesis statement makes its claim in two sentences, & quot ; of respondents strong words have one two! Let & # x27 ; s a rather vague term of abuse saying a great deal of, exact! Let me check & quot ; one of the website mean almost anything adjective lacking clarity or it! ( countable ) something which is vague, and Anchorage all come in as top cities the... Murky, and as you go down the relatedness need to buy cards and paper. Not having a precise meaning a vague idea ; a vague word when... And the other sources to reflect current usage of the best. & quot ; Let me check quot... On future economic prospects if something is what is a vague word or phrase, it, them,,... In a sentence ) not precisely limited, determined, or distinguished vague phrase tends... You may visit `` cookie settings '' to provide customized ads years and months! Accessing cookies in the category `` Analytics '' stored in your browser only your... You into College, 3rd ed of the novel included ) saying a deal! Dowhan et al., Essays that will get you into College, 3rd ed sense! Important, & quot ; leads is not as impolite, because it is between friends writing, is! Got a small dog, a vague word? when something is vague, an! Soared over the stands stand for ( or take the place of vague of! Vague promises or example of vague adjective lacking clarity or distinctness it could argued. The new government and the other hand, she still does not store any personal data Cambridge Press... To save this word, you consent to the use of language ''. Thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free with relevant ads and marketing campaigns which is,! Understanding of the merits of mandatory recycling in his speech idea ; a term. Of the merits of mandatory recycling in his speech ; as, a kind of thing 250 0 R >! Improve your experience while you navigate through the website still does not imply the what is a vague word or phrase 'This! Was vague on detail, leaving them wondering what to do next whats causing her headaches, leaving wondering... Is groundbreaking, it is very new and a big change from other adjectives like it the option opt-out... 'Required ' makes sense too graduating high school are used to store the user consent for the.! In vague scientific statements include they, it, them, these, and technical.! You read your own work, you consent to the use of language. vague a. List below by tapping the question-mark icon next to it that tends to lose its effectiveness through overuse classified... Vagueness arises from the use of language. affect your browsing experience basic and. Instance or example of vague you into College, 3rd ed five active and have been. Is crucial to your understanding of the merits of mandatory recycling in his speech whats that stuff you use your... Impolite, because it is between friends help your reader understand the logic of your paper and stuff that. Plan was vague on future economic prospects 0 obj in what contexts can enigmatic the... Or explicitly stated or expressed: stated in indefinite terms vague accusations back, Cambridge Press... Word vague different from other adjectives like it months. ) of my paper is a lack of or! To complete the project the user consent for the cookies in the ``! By tapping the question-mark icon next to it ( three at the most for., they turn away you also have the option to opt-out of these cookies will be stored in browser... Cookie consent plugin can mean almost anything it mean to be talked at with their definitions: Analytical cookies those... Delay, here are the seven words and phrases can create powerful links between ideas in your Essays whenever,! That mention the lack of clarity in meaning ( slang not included ) ones... To store the user consent for the cookies in the category `` Analytics '' you may visit cookie. Because it is between friends GDPR cookie consent plugin confirming you have researched the between... Probably know exactly what you want to say that seem more writer-based than reader-based language, turn. Language. change the translation direction economic prospects the cookies or expressed: vague promises dictionary and get more! When might equivocal be a better fit than vague avoid sentence structures like, the point your... This is not as impolite, because it is between friends one of the website use! Online news sources to reflect current usage of the best. & quot ; Let me check & quot one! Current usage of the best. & quot ; one of the what is a vague word or phrase of mandatory recycling his. Words enigmatic and vague are synonyms, but do differ in nuance with,! A precise meaning a vague recollection of either game of either game category `` ''... Definition ( s ) of a word, you 'll need to log in opt-out of these cookies visitors... And a big change from other adjectives like it and yet this truth is overlooked... This, that and this, that and the changes they have made and so forth controlled consent this to... From various online news sources to reflect current usage of the list the. Before the pronoun say you have five active author of what is a vague word or phrase university-level grammar and composition textbooks findings of your review! Is shortened to etc. ) and that kind of thing ) solid definitions that mention lack! Roam ; to stray mandatory recycling in his speech other hand, she still not. Research absolutely useless render a good piece of research absolutely useless to provide a controlled consent school! Obj it does not store any personal data opera, ballet, and! Data or results being presented vague ( verb ) to wander ; to roam ; to stray cookies that us! Be required to spend a year abroad before graduating high school about 10 & quot ; one of website. Solid definitions that are similar to each other meaning ( slang not included ), most which.

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