a vague definition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a vague definition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a definition that lacks clarity or precision. Example: "The term 'freedom' often has a vague definition that can lead to different interpretations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The measure, they said, contains only a vague definition of what constitutes a terrorist group.

The New York Times

It gives back primacy to local planning, which the earlier draft tried to replace in the short-term with an individual permit system, based on a vague definition of "sustainability".

The Guardian - Opinion

This is clearly a vague definition, with many 'almost's scattered throughout.

SEP

Such a vague definition requires a notion of "universal computer," programmable by bit strings to produce any output bit sequence.

Mathematics for Multimedia

Sleep has a vague definition: having a state of immobility that can quickly be reversed, combined with a greatly reduced rate of responsiveness to stimuli.

BBC

The head of the Institute of Mass Information, Oksana Romanyuk, told Kommersant Ukraina that she is concerned about the word "extremism" as applied to public protests: "The term has such a vague definition that it can be interpreted as one pleases.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The attempt to decide which news is fit to print rests on the assumption that not all news is fit to print, which in turn rests on a usefully vague definition of fitness that can take into account many factors — salability, yes, but also some version of public interest.

The New Yorker

The "materials genome" was given a rather vague definition in US President Obama's announcement in 2011.

Scripta Materialia

In most states, "promoting prostitution" has a very vague definition.

Huffington Post

He continued: "Congress has given the I.R.S. the difficult task of applying an incredibly vague definition of political activity and an uncertain standard for how much political activity tax-exempt social welfare organizations may engage in".

The New York Times

Under the legislation, landowner consent for mining is given an ominously vague definition.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a vague definition", be prepared to provide further clarification or examples to avoid misinterpretations. If the definition is central to your argument, consider refining it.

Common error

Avoid assuming your audience understands what you mean by "a vague definition". Always provide context or examples to illustrate the specific ways in which the definition lacks clarity or precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a vague definition" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or object. It describes a definition lacking clarity or precision. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

53%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a vague definition" describes a definition lacking clarity or precision and is grammatically correct, according to Ludwig. While categorized as having an uncommon usage frequency, the phrase appears across varied contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science, indicating broad applicability. When utilizing "a vague definition", ensure you provide sufficient context or examples to clarify the intended meaning. Alternatives such as "an imprecise definition" or "an ambiguous definition" can provide nuanced meaning, as the AI also highlights. While usable, careful consideration is needed in context to convey intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an imprecise definition

Replaces "vague" with "imprecise", indicating a lack of exactness.

an ambiguous definition

Substitutes "vague" with "ambiguous", highlighting the possibility of multiple interpretations.

an ill-defined concept

Shifts from "definition" to "concept" and uses "ill-defined" to emphasize the lack of clarity.

a poorly defined term

Focuses on "term" rather than "definition" and uses "poorly defined" to indicate inadequacy.

a loose definition

Employs "loose" as a substitute for "vague", suggesting a lack of strictness or precision.

a general definition

Uses "general" instead of "vague" to imply a lack of specific details.

an undefined term

Replaces "vague definition" with the direct statement that the term lacks a definition.

a nebulous explanation

Changes "definition" to "explanation" and uses "nebulous" to convey a sense of indistinctness.

an unspecific meaning

Replaces the word "definition" with the word "meaning" and indicates a lack of specificity.

an indefinite description

Alters "definition" to "description" and uses "indefinite" to suggest a lack of clear boundaries.

FAQs

How can I use "a vague definition" in a sentence?

You can use "a vague definition" to describe concepts lacking clear boundaries. For instance, "The law suffered from "a vague definition" of 'terrorism', which led to its misuse."

What are some alternatives to "a vague definition"?

Alternatives include "an imprecise definition", "an ambiguous definition", or "a poorly defined term". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes a definition "vague"?

A definition is "vague" when its boundaries are unclear, leading to uncertainty about what it includes and excludes. This lack of precision can cause misunderstandings or disputes.

Is it always bad to have "a vague definition"?

Not necessarily. Sometimes, "a vague definition" can be useful when flexibility is needed. However, in legal or technical contexts, precision is usually preferred to avoid ambiguity.