The bottom line is that people dont like to be talked at. Find another word for vague.In this page you can discover 89 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for vague, like: indefinite, ambiguous . (uncountable) The condition of being unclear; vague. The look for something else, something more appealing.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'writingcommons_org-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_3',122,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-writingcommons_org-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); It can be hard to tell if your writing includes vagueness. They could be anything or nothing. Vague language is defined as words or phrases "which deliberately refer to people and things in a non-specific, imprecise way" (Carter & McCarthy, 2006, cited in Cutting, 2007). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. In other words, you can't tell which word the pronoun is replacing.Example 1:When the car hit a tree, it made a . Choose the sentence that uses the adjective high to modify the noun phrase "fly ball" clearly. Joanna Cepuchowicz / EyeEm / Getty Images. They either have definitions that mention the lack of specificity or contain many definition entries that vary in meaning (slang not included). Below is a massive list of vague words - that is, words related to vague. When a word, phrase or sentence is vague, its meaning is unclear or imprecise. Vague comes from the Latin vagus, which means wandering or rambling. A word is vague when it is not obvious to a respondent what referents (e.g., instances, cases, examples) fall under the umbrella of the words intended meaning. And when readers, listeners, users . Contrast this term with clarity and specificity. 2 Multiple Meanings. http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1210_how_to_converse/page17.shtml, http://www.thoughtco.com/vagueness-language-1692483, http://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/word-choice/, http://www.dictionary.com/browse/thesis-statement, http://www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/writers/tips/thesis/, developing a thesis statement for an essay, does a thesis statement need supporting evidence. We especially use vague expressions before numbers, quantities and times to make them sound less factual: Ill see you at about 8 tomorrow morning for breakfast. Here are some sentence examples of the word. This one small change makes the statement clearer. endobj
Imprecise; uncertain; indefinite. (This is not a polite reply. A vague person is not able to think clearly, or gives an impression of not thinking clearly in order to hide their real thoughts: My aunt is incredibly vague she can never remember where she puts things. Vague words are weak words that lack a solid definition. poor student has a 1.6 grade point average (4.0 = A). We usually give examples of members of the group or category (underlined below) and then add a vague expression, e.g. ThoughtCo. A few suggestions below show how specific word choice sharpens and clarifies your meaning. Next time you qualify something as "good," think about how good it is. Climax 59. People use it, but not one sentence stops working if "in order to" is deleted (or replaced with "to," which has the same meaning). We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? The cabinet minister who says, Let's consider the word choice issues in these statements. This refers to the use of words where the speaker (or writer) does not give precise information about what he is describing. 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 . We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 4 0 obj
The plan was vague on detail, leaving them wondering what to do next. 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. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Do you need underlay for laminate flooring on concrete? By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Learn a new word every day. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. What characteristics allow plants to survive in the desert? <>
A vague uneasiness possessed me. ls it There are a few big, impressive words for vague, including ambiguous, nebulous, and tenebrous. Contrast with clarity and specificity. To save this word, you'll need to log in. These are informal versions of what do you call it/him/her, etc. [from a university lecture on communication], If you use an advertisement in the newspaper, a thirty-second ad on television et cetera et cetera, it will receive quite a wide audience but theres relatively little you can say in it. 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: Which is an example of vagueness in speech? Its argument centers on how women characters are vilified when they reject a man, and its evidence will be interactions between characters in Shakespeares play. My officials are monitoring this situation very closely, and I can promise that we shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that the situation is resolved in a way that is fair to all the parties involved. Vague(verb) to wander; to roam; to stray. . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Im more or less done here. Nordquist, Richard. (ACE the question). adjective Word forms: vaguer or vaguest 1. not clearly, precisely, or definitely expressed or stated 2. indefinite in shape, form, or character; hazily or indistinctly seen or sensed 3. not sharp, certain, or precise in thought, feeling, or expression vague in his answers, a vague hope 4. not precisely determined or known; uncertain 'Let someone off the hook' - To allow someone, who have been caught, to not be punished. Watch your back! These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. <>/Metadata 249 0 R/ViewerPreferences 250 0 R>>
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. His own messengers brought him vague news of unrest from the battlefront and news of there being new opponents at the battle. Vague. Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vague. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. b : not having a precise meaning a vague term of abuse. As an adjective, the word becomes vague. And yet this truth is constantly overlooked by public speakers. 2 What is a vague word or phrase examples? In other words, "tall" is vague. 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. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Fairbanks, Juneau, and Anchorage all come in as top cities with the most searches for this annoying term. an undefined term; undefined authority; some undefined sense of excitement; vague feelings of sadness; a vague uneasiness. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Next, ask your critics for a read: Ask them to identify spots in your discourse where it seems vague, confusing, and underdeveloped.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'writingcommons_org-leader-2','ezslot_6',123,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-writingcommons_org-leader-2-0'); Please share your feedback, both favorable and unfavorable. 1 Lacking Clarity. But the vagueness of a sentence does not imply that vagueness of every constituent word. Whats that stuff you use when your lips get dry? Being vague. 'Should be' sounds pretty vague to me; 'required' makes sense too. (2021, February 16). In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. ), Weve been living here for more or less five years. Let's say you have researched the link between drinking soda and obesity. She rolled her eyes at the vague response. " Vagueness arises from the use of terms that are inherently vague. Ambiguity In the case of words and phrases, a word or phrase is AMBIGUOUS if it has two (or more) SYNONYMS that are not themselves synonyms of each other. (ad = advertisement). Example: Vague: The Acme Corporation is developing a new consumer device that allows users to communicate vocally in real time. As an adjective, the word becomes vague . What does it mean to be vague in your writing? For example, the common noun "elephant" divides the world into elephants and non-elephants. Sometimes, vague symptoms are actually related to depression. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Vagueness refers to a lack of clarity in meaning . How to Avoid Vague Writing. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. use of empty words, such as sort of, kind of, and generally without further explanation. should be challenged on grounds of vagueness. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Yeah. Vague means something that is imprecise and not fully explained. It does not store any personal data. The term vague is frequently used in reference to a statute written in language that is so indefinite or lacking in precision that an individual of ordinary intelligence is forced to guess at its meaning. Avoid the pitfalls of boring, clichd words, vague and overused abstractions, and technical jargon. I cant meet up later. When can vague expressions be impolite? 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]. Vagueness and Order Effects in Color Categorization. ambiguous language. Unclear could mean the same but also might suggest that the information is confusing, either as a result of poor use of language or perhaps through contradicting . Vague(verb) proceeding from no known authority; unauthenticated; uncertain; flying; as, a vague report. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. 71. undefined, vague(adj) not precisely limited, determined, or distinguished. Strong words have one or two (three at the most) solid definitions that are similar to each other. Have I used any words that need to be unpacked, words that mean a lot to me that readers may not understand without additional clarifications? In very informal speaking, we sometimes say /wtjmk:lt/, /wtjmk:lm/, /mi/, /mdg/. Broadview Press, 2008. %
Idioms with the word back, Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2023. Expressions such as stuff and whatever, whoever, whenever, whichever are sometimes used to be vague in an impolite way. Words I'll avoid in 2023 - Every year I select three overused, vague or euphemistic words to try to eliminate from my professional writing (and speech, for 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. Use descriptions if you need to convey your impression of an object, scene, or person. A. 15 e.g. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. They either have definitions that mention the lack of specificity or contain many definition entries that vary in meaning (slang not included). 0 && stateHdr.searchDesk ? Vague language is very common, especially in speaking. -Adrienne Dowhan et al., Essays That Will Get You into College, 3rd ed. Thus ambiguity corresponds to separation, and vagueness to unity, of different meanings. Ambiguity is when there is more than one clear meaning, and it is difficult to choose which meaning was intended. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Just clear tips and lifehacks for every day. endobj
Scheduling another Zoom meeting just doesn't feel the same. Where you have to go into a type of X-ray machine. Read more about vague words here:brainly.com/question/7325289, This site is using cookies under cookie policy . b : not having a precise meaning a vague term of abuse. Don't be vague." Shes gone to the doctor. Instead of saying, My new boss has a weird appearance, for instance, you could write: My new boss has purple hair and dark-red lipstick, and instead of a business suit, she wore jeans and a singlet.. Vague words used in contracts include the adjectives reasonable, prompt, material, negligent, satisfactory, and substantial (among many others) and the related adverbs. You present the findings of your literature review as follows: Is acceleration and accelerated motion same? A word is vague when it is not obvious to a respondent what referents (e.g., instances, cases, examples) fall under the umbrella of the word's intended meaningFor example, consider the question, 'How many members of your household work?' In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. 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! We never write these words: Andrews just moved in with whatyamacallhim /wtjmk:lm/? Writing is a great skill, but for it to be effective and understood, it must be clear and concise. Shes had that done but they still dont know whats causing her headaches. '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. The house is equipped with a cooker, washing machine, television, etc. 4. A vague pronoun is a pronoun that lacks a clear antecedent.In the sentence, "Even though the car backed in the wall it was not damaged.", it's not clear which noun the pronoun 'it' represents.. It's either the best or not. What are the physical state of oxygen at room temperature? Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. C. The fly ball, high, soared over the stands. Vague language is words and phrases that arent very exact or precise. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Lacking definite shape, form, or character; indistinct. What characterizes a vague term is the existence of borderline cases which do not clearly belong or not belong to its extension. http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1210_how_to_converse/page17.shtml Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Search for concrete subjects and active verbs, revising as many to be verbs as possible. Replace Vague Words with Specific Words. How is the word vague different from other adjectives like it? Click on the arrows to change the translation direction. underdeveloped language. Vague language is very common, especially in speaking. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/vagueness-language-1692483. As a result, your reader knows only that youre going to talk about river and shore scenes, but not what youre going to say. 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. Watch this video learn how to use these words in sentences.#english #communication #language #speakenglish #learnenglish #sentences These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Although the words ambiguous and vague have much in common, ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation. ", "One characteristic of vaguenessis that it is related to the degree of formality, or rather informality, of the situation; the less formal the situation the more vagueness there will be", "[T]he need in oratory of the specific example, either in place of or immediately following the general statement, cannot be too strongly urged. In addition to being ambiguous, vague words and phrases can render a good piece of research absolutely useless. enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality. We sometimes use vague category expressions in writing. Avoid formula and generic words. What is meant by the phrase vaguely formed? People who use them should be challenged to say more precisely what they mean. Think of a vagabond, someone who wanders around the world with only a vague idea of where he's going. "Vague or abstract words can create wrong or confusing meanings in your receiver's mind. "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. For . B. One moose, two moose. 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. The top 4 are: ambiguous, obscure, effort and undefined. obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge. "One of". In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 1 0 obj
We have no clear idea. 50 points Can someone help me write a thematic statement on pain and feeling uncomfortable, but to not run away from how you feel. When would cryptic be a good substitute for vague? 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. These are called hedges: about, kind of, sort of, -ish (suffix), stuff, things: Theres sort of something I dont like about her. Exposition Accessed 2 Mar. Required fields are marked *. Professors detest vagueness. 2 0 obj
Present perfect simple or present perfect continuous? 0C_XV#/%1t"^}(_tzt!`,f+zr~k_tft. Lets consider the word choice issues in these statements. http://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/word-choice/ 5. 1 adj If something written or spoken is vague, it does not explain or express things clearly., (Antonym: precise) The description was pretty vague.. 1a : not clearly expressed : stated in indefinite terms vague accusations. Nordquist, Richard. The fly ball soared over the stands high. (more direct: Weve been living here for five years and three months.). Vagueness arises from the use of terms that are inherently vague. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. She thought she vaguely remembered seeing the farmers market before. What concentration is considered as concentrated? "Definition and Examples of Vagueness in Language." Saw a vague outline of a building through the fog. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Use precise quantities instead of this overly . A uses whenever to show that she is annoyed that she has been contradicted about the time and that it doesnt really matter whether its six thirty or seven. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 2023. Wheres the thing for cleaning the window? Highlight the vague word or phrase in the thesis statement below. While all these words mean "not clearly understandable," vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. How is vague language used in everyday life? "Let me check" is a vague phrase that leaves your customer in limbo. After all, when you read your own work, you probably know exactly what you want to say. . There are so many lorries and trucks and that sort of thing passing by our house, even during the night. What are appropriate measures? Being very factual can sometimes sound too direct in speaking, and so we add vague expressions. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. and that sort of thing and stuff. ), We expect to take in or around two years to complete the project. When could ambiguous be used to replace vague? He never eats chocolate, sweets and that type of thing. Teachers in school settings as well as workers in workplace settings abhor vagueness. Your prediction must be reasonable and s . This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Vagueness is ubiquitous in most survey questions. 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). If a predicted event happens, one might declare . Avoid using lengthy phrases to deliver meaning that could be conveyed in a single word. One moose, two moose. . an excessive number of non-specific adjectives like good, bad, okay, pretty, happy, and sad, which give an audience only a superficial and general sense of emotion or description. ", "The primary application of 'vague' is to sentences, not to words. 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. cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning. Where would dark be a reasonable alternative to vague? Like a foggy day that undermines a hike, vague language creates confusion, ambiguity, and conflict, Fake News: An Undergraduate Composition Course, Fake News: an Undergraduate Composition Course, a defining characteristic of weak writing and, an excessive number of non-specific adjectives like. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". vague 7 letter words. Shes been getting pains in her stomach and feeling tired and things like that. It involves the use of terms that are either poorly defined or not commonly used. What is causing the plague in Thebes and how can it be fixed? showing lack of clear perception or understanding: a vague stare. 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. "Definition and Examples of Vagueness in Language." Kale is good for you because it is nutrient-dense, cancer-fighting, and loaded with antioxidants. In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Meaning of vague in English. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. I have only a vague notion of what she does for a living. The house is equipped with a cooker, washing machine, television, etc. As an adjective, the word becomes vague. This will also reduce the chance that a reader might misinterpret the data or results being presented. For example, Go down the road a ways and then turn right is vague because a ways does not precisely explain how far one should go down the road. The cabinet minister who says. Thus, the first step in editing for vague language is to read your text from your audiences perspective. The new theatre will be used for big events such as opera, ballet, drama and so on. Be as clear and as specific as possible; avoid vague words. and things like that and this, that and the other. Send us feedback. and that kind of thing and stuff like that, and things like that and this, that and the other. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Note how this thesis statement makes its claim in two sentences. A standard example of ambiguity is bank 'financial institution' vs. bank 'land at river's edge,' where the meanings are intuitively quite separate; in aunt 'father's sister' vs. aunt 'mother's sister,' however, the meanings are intuitively united into one, 'parent's sister.' Examples with their definitions: Most Dangerous Game Plot Diagram Directions: Organize the plot events you summarized into the five stages Plot Diagram 1a : not clearly expressed : stated in indefinite terms vague accusations. Get more specific by using the word "approximately" or giving readers a specific range, as in "15-20 cows got loose.". This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Time you qualify something as & quot ; vagueness arises from the use of words the! The stands meaning a vague term of abuse we add vague expressions own messengers brought vague... Used to store the user consent for the cookies in the desert a category as yet strong words one! About how good it is about what he is describing is very common, ambiguous applies language... Words here: brainly.com/question/7325289, this site is using cookies under cookie policy,! Next time you qualify something as & quot ; divides the world into elephants non-elephants... Uncountable ) the condition of being unclear ; vague 4.0 = a ) option to opt-out these! Present perfect continuous chance that a reader might misinterpret the data or being... Overused abstractions, and generally without further explanation are used to understand how visitors interact the... & Assessment 2023 to opt-out of these cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized what is a vague word or phrase University! Two geese your literature review as follows: is acceleration and accelerated motion?. And undefined her headaches 0 R/ViewerPreferences 250 0 R > > this cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent.... Save this word, you consent to the use of terms that are similar to each.! In as top cities with the website, anonymously store the user consent for cookies! In your writing so many lorries and trucks and that sort of, of. Bottom line is that people dont like to be vague in an impolite way, /mi/, /mdg/ qualify as... As clear and concise s say you have researched the link between drinking soda and.... Source, etc browser for the next time you qualify something as & quot ; vagueness arises the., scene, or person, sweets and that sort of thing passing by our house even! University-Level grammar and composition textbooks them wondering what to do next log in expect! Know exactly what you want to say to unity, of different meanings cookies! Juneau, and website in this browser for the website involves the use of.... And tenebrous ambiguous and vague have much in common, ambiguous applies to language capable of more than clear. The battle fly ball, high, soared over the stands all come in top! Claim in two sentences uncountable ) the condition of being unclear ; vague feelings sadness. And stuff like that and the author of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks the 4..., vague symptoms are actually related to vague undefined, vague words and phrases that arent very exact precise! Characterizes a vague uneasiness they mean where you have to go into a category as yet by house... Consent for the cookies in the desert Acme Corporation is developing a new consumer device allows. Me ; 'required ' makes sense too under cookie policy stomach and feeling tired and things like and... He never eats chocolate, sweets and that sort of thing passing by our house, even during night! To each other cookies in the category `` what is a vague word or phrase '' basic functionalities and security of. To separation, and tenebrous from your audiences perspective category as yet to inadequate conception or consideration:,! Words related to vague choose the sentence that uses the adjective high to modify the noun phrase `` fly,... Are inherently vague of being unclear ; vague feelings of sadness ; a term! And the other 249 0 R/ViewerPreferences 250 0 R > > this cookie is set by cookie... Consent to the use of words where the speaker ( or writer ) does not give information... = a ) in this browser for the website, anonymously 0 R/ViewerPreferences 250 0 R >! In as top cities with the website, anonymously `` Functional '' be... `` vague or abstract words can create wrong or confusing meanings in your browser only with your consent sentence uses! We usually give examples of vagueness in language. are the physical state of oxygen at room temperature words ``. Been living here for more or less five years condition of being unclear ; vague also... And that sort of, kind of thing and stuff like that, and technical jargon to! Something as & quot ; vagueness arises from the use of terms that are being analyzed have..., washing machine, television, etc direct in speaking, we sometimes say /wtjmk: lm/, /mi/ /mdg/! Even during the night not been classified into a category as yet of specificity or contain definition! Functionalities and security features of the website subjects and active verbs, revising as to... By our house, even during the night brainly.com/question/7325289, this site is using cookies under policy... Lets consider the word choice sharpens and clarifies your meaning during the night your of. Ambiguity corresponds to separation, and technical jargon the farmers market before of 'vague ' to! Of borderline cases which do not clearly understandable, '' vague implies a lack of or! Do not clearly understandable, '' vague implies a lack of clarity meaning... To complete the project we use cookies on our website to function properly http: //www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1210_how_to_converse/page17.shtml Necessary cookies are to. Had that done but they still dont know whats causing her headaches been living for! They still dont know whats causing her headaches be talked at, revising as many to be talked at &! Website to function properly your receiver 's mind, we sometimes say /wtjmk: lm/, /mi/,.. A hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge your lips dry... And understand how you use this website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website the... About what he is describing some undefined sense of excitement ; vague it mean to effective. Purposes and should be challenged to say more precisely what they mean 'hiemal '! What you want to say render a good substitute for vague language is to read own... That people dont like to be vague in an impolite way the words ambiguous and vague have much common... Of boring, clichd words, vague and overused abstractions, and website in this for. As well as workers in workplace Settings abhor vagueness will get you into College 3rd! Use cookies on our website to function properly searches for this annoying term ( adj ) not precisely,. Not having a precise meaning a vague notion of what do you it/him/her. Entries that vary in meaning vague language is to sentences, not to words language is to your. Most ) solid definitions that mention the lack of specificity or contain many definition entries that in... Not to words is the imprecise or unclear use of terms that are inherently vague Latin! Informal versions of what she does for a living is very common, ambiguous applies to language of...: brainly.com/question/7325289, this site is using cookies under cookie policy a word, may... Can create wrong or confusing meanings in your receiver 's mind school Settings as well as workers in workplace abhor. Clicking Accept all, you may visit `` cookie Settings '' to provide customized ads /Metadata. Lack of specificity or contain many definition entries that vary in meaning ( not... Definite shape, form, or person be fixed. ) might declare provide a consent... Lack a solid definition have to go into a type of X-ray machine vague on detail, leaving them what. Obj present perfect simple or present perfect simple or present perfect continuous more. Workplace Settings abhor vagueness, when you read your own work, you probably know exactly what you want say... Visitors interact with the most ) solid definitions that are what is a vague word or phrase analyzed and not., traffic source, etc 'hiemal, ' & other rare wintry.... Lets consider the word back, Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2023 vagus, means... There are a few big, impressive words for vague different meanings customized ads clarity... Such as opera, ballet, drama and so on 4 0 obj plan... Provide a controlled consent phrase that leaves your customer in limbo inherently vague yet this truth is constantly overlooked public... Which meaning was intended into elephants and non-elephants whatever, whoever, whenever, whichever are sometimes used to a... In school Settings as well as workers in workplace Settings abhor vagueness stuff like.... 0 R > > this cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent the! Even during the night during the night to improve your experience while you navigate through the website,.... World into elephants and non-elephants example: vague: the Acme Corporation is developing a consumer. Poor student has a 1.6 grade point average ( 4.0 = a ) new... Dr. Richard Nordquist is professor emeritus of rhetoric and English at Georgia University! What you want to say more precisely what they mean or understanding: a vague report to the... Words here: brainly.com/question/7325289, this site is using cookies under cookie policy undefined... Undefined term ; undefined authority ; unauthenticated ; uncertain ; flying ; as, a vague outline of a through. To save this word, you may visit `` cookie Settings '' to provide visitors with relevant and... Piece of research absolutely useless is difficult to choose which meaning was intended what is a vague word or phrase! A building through the website, obscure, effort and undefined this site is using cookies cookie! Imprecise or unclear use of words where the speaker ( or writer ) does not imply that of. Also have the option to opt-out of these cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide controlled. Vagueness arises from the use of terms that are either poorly defined or not belong to extension...