The word "vague" is pronounced as /veɪɡ/ in IPA transcription. The /v/ sound is made by vibrating your lips together, followed by the diphthong /eɪ/ which involves moving from an open mouth /ɛ/ to a more closed /ɪ/ sound. The /ɡ/ sound is created by pressing the back of your tongue against the soft palate. The spelling of "vague" matches the way it sounds when spoken, with the silent "u" sitting between the "g" and the "e".
The term "vague" is an adjective used to describe something that is unclear, imprecise, or indefinite. It refers to a lack of specific details or definition, often leaving room for interpretation or uncertainty. When something is vague, it lacks clarity and precision in its meaning, making it difficult to understand or comprehend fully.
In everyday usage, if a statement or description is vague, it means that it is not clearly expressed or articulated, leaving the listener or reader confused or unsure about what is being communicated. Vague language can be characterized by the use of general terms, ambiguous phrases, or a lack of specific examples or details.
When a person is described as being vague, it suggests that they have a tendency to be unclear or uncertain in their communication, making it challenging for others to understand their intentions, thoughts, or the message they are trying to convey.
In various contexts, vagueness can manifest in different ways. It can be found in instructions, explanations, descriptions, or even memories. Vague statements or concepts may be open to multiple interpretations, allowing for subjective understanding or differing viewpoints.
Overall, the term "vague" is used to highlight a lack of clarity, precision, or definiteness, making it difficult to fully grasp or comprehend the meaning or intent behind a statement, description, or concept.
Not settled or definite; loose; unfixed; ill-defined; proceeding from no reliable source.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "vague" has its origins in Latin. It comes from the Latin word "vagus", which means "wandering" or "unsettled". In French, "vague" originally referred to the rolling motion of the sea, derived from the same Latin word. Over time, the meaning of "vague" expanded and its French usage eventually influenced the English language, where it came to represent something that is indistinct, hazy, or undefined.