Vagueness — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈvāg/

Meaning & Definition of Vagueness

Vagueness (adjective)

  1. not clearly expressed, stated in indefinite terms
  2. not having a precise meaning
  3. not clearly defined, grasped, or understood, indistinct; also, slight

Vagueness (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in darkness, murkiness

    similar: darkness, murkiness, shadowiness, deepness, profundity, ambiguity, equivocality, equivocalness, impenetrability, inscrutability, inscrutableness, mysteriousness, numinousness, obscurity, uncanniness, incomprehensibility, unintelligibility, unintelligibleness, inexplicability, inexplicableness, unanswerability, unknowability, abstruseness, abstrusity, esotericism, hermetism, reconditeness
    opposite: intelligibility, understandability, clarity, obviousness, plainness, self-evidence, straightforwardness, transparency

Related Entry: Vague (adjective)

Vague is a different word from Vagueness. The synonyms below are for vague, not for vagueness.

  1. not expressed in precise terms

    "gave as vague a reply as he could, hoping not to give away the surprise"

    similar: fuzzy, indefinite, inexplicit, muzzy, unclear
    related: ambiguous, cryptic, dark, enigmatic, equivocal, murky, nebulous, obscure, unintelligible, bleary, blurry, dim, faint, foggy, gauzy, hazy, misty, woozy, indeterminate, indistinct, indistinguishable, uncertain, undefinable, undefined, undetermined, inexplicable, inscrutable, mysterious, baffling, bewildering, confounding, confusing, mystifying, obfuscatory, perplexing, puzzling, unfathomable
    opposite: clear, definite, explicit, specific
    near: candid, direct, forthright, foursquare, frank, honest, open, openhearted, outspoken, plainspoken, straight, straightforward, unguarded, obvious, plain, unambiguous, understandable, unequivocal, comprehensible, fathomable, intelligible, defined, distinct, well-defined, blatant, patent, unmistakable

  2. not seen or understood clearly

    "I have only a vague idea of what you're talking about"

    similar: blear, bleary, blurry, dim, faint, foggy, fuzzy, gauzy, hazy, indefinite, indistinct, indistinguishable, misty, murky, nebulous, obscure, opaque, pale, shadowy, unclear, undefined, undetermined
    related: dark, dusky, gloomy, impalpable, inappreciable, intangible, invisible, hieroglyphic, incomprehensible, indecipherable, indiscernible, inexplicable, mysterious, obfuscatory, puzzling
    opposite: clear, definite, pellucid
    near: bright, distinct, evident, obvious, plain, certain, firm, strong, sure

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Vagueness

The most common words with a similar meaning to Vagueness:

darkness, murkiness, shadowiness, deepness, profundity, ambiguity, equivocality, equivocalness, impenetrability, inscrutability, inscrutableness, mysteriousness, numinousness, obscurity, uncanniness, incomprehensibility, unintelligibility, unintelligibleness, inexplicability, inexplicableness, unanswerability, unknowability, abstruseness, abstrusity, esotericism, hermetism, reconditeness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Vagueness

Words with the opposite meaning of Vagueness:

intelligibility, understandability, clarity, obviousness, plainness, self-evidence, straightforwardness, transparency

Word Forms of Vagueness

Inflections: vaguer, vaguest

Derived words: vagueness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Vagueness

borrowed from French, going back to Middle French, going back to Old French, "wandering, vagabond," borrowed from Latin vagus "moving freely, wandering," perhaps akin to Old High German wankōn "to totter, stagger," winkan "to waver, stagger, wink," Old English wincian "to close the eyes" wink:1

First known use: circa 1661

Frequently Asked Questions about Vagueness

What does "Vagueness" mean?

"Vagueness" means not clearly expressed, stated in indefinite terms. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: not clearly expressed, stated in indefinite terms.

What is another word for "Vagueness"?

Other words for "Vagueness" include darkness, murkiness, shadowiness, deepness, profundity, ambiguity, equivocality and equivocalness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Vagueness" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Vagueness"?

There are 27 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Vagueness". Common alternatives include darkness, murkiness, shadowiness, deepness, profundity, ambiguity, equivocality, equivocalness, impenetrability and inscrutability.

What is the opposite of "Vagueness"?

Antonyms of "Vagueness" include intelligibility, understandability, clarity, obviousness, plainness, self-evidence, straightforwardness and transparency.

Is "Vagueness" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Vagueness" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Vagueness"?

"Vagueness" is pronounced /ˈvāg/.

What is the origin of the word "Vagueness"?

"Vagueness" comes from borrowed from French, going back to Middle French, going back to Old French, "wandering, vagabond," borrowed from Latin vagus "moving freely, wandering," perhaps akin to Old High German wankōn "to totter, stagger," winkan "to waver, stagger, wink," Old English wincian "to close the eyes" wink:1. First known use: circa 1661.

What is another word for "Vagueness" meaning "as in darkness, murkiness"?

When "Vagueness" (noun) means as in darkness, murkiness, synonyms include darkness, murkiness, shadowiness, deepness, profundity and ambiguity. Opposites in this sense include intelligibility, understandability, clarity and obviousness.