fuzzy notion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fuzzy notion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an idea or concept that is vague, unclear, or not well-defined. Example: "The concept of happiness is often a fuzzy notion, varying greatly from person to person."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Obamacare will have become a reality, something people depend on, rather than some fuzzy notion Republicans could demonize.

The New York Times

But charting improvements in a community's quality of life, a somewhat fuzzy notion to begin with, can be tricky.

The New York Times

My thoughts coalesced around the fuzzy notion that all the dramatic landscapes I'd ever seen — Socotra, the Galapagos, Cape Breton, Yosemite Valley — in fact were one and the same and all visible here before my eyes.

The New York Times - Travel

Hammond's statement covers not just Dover, but such ports as Milford Haven, Poole and Shoreham, and seems to open up the prospect of privatisation being glossed over using a fuzzy notion of local people's influence.

The Guardian - Opinion

Steadily rising prices seemed to be delivering on both Deng Xiaoping's promise of "a relatively well-off society" (xiaokang shehui) and the current president Xi Jinping's rhetoric of a full-blown "Chinese dream" (zhongguo meng) – a fuzzy notion that promises wealth, wellbeing, and power to individuals and the nation as a whole.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, Bruce Klingner, a former CIA analyst, thinks the joint undertaking never to shut the zone in future risks hobbling the government in Seoul.For now, Mr Yoo argues, it is all an endorsement of Ms Park's "trustpolitik", a fuzzy notion for building confidence across the border.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Suddenly, Instagram was no longer cool or under the radar; the company had sold out to the digital panopticon with fuzzy notions of privacy we all love to gripe about.

The New Yorker

In order for this to happen, organisations need to commit to identifying and nurturing female leaders – not because they've been told to or from some fuzzy notions about "equality", but because they recognise that it will benefit them.

The Guardian

Instead, it appears that his purpose is to explicate and thus, to test his fuzzy notions about whether there may be a unifying theory underlying how biologically-based changes come about.

The Guardian

Jason Turbow and Michael Duca, obvious baseball obsessives from the San Francisco Bay Area, have collected dozens of stories from baseball history about situations that are not governed by the rule book but that pertain to the fuzzy notions of rightness and respect and that describe the contours of the so-called baseball codes.

The New York Times - Books

For years, the Party, and many observers abroad, believed that the middle class would be the Party's greatest ally, that it had gained so much during the boom years that it would never risk the trappings of prosperity for fuzzy notions of political freedom.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fuzzy notion" when you want to describe an idea or concept that lacks clear definition or is not well-formed. It's particularly effective when discussing abstract or subjective topics.

Common error

Avoid using "fuzzy notion" in highly formal or technical writing where precision is paramount. Opt for more specific and concrete terms to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fuzzy notion" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "fuzzy" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "notion". It describes the quality of the noun, indicating a lack of clarity or precision. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fuzzy notion" is used to describe an idea or concept that is vague, unclear, or not well-defined. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct. While it appears mostly in News & Media and Science contexts, its neutral register makes it broadly applicable. When writing, it's best to use "fuzzy notion" to express uncertainty or critique about an idea's lack of clarity. However, avoid using it in highly formal contexts where precision is key. Alternatives like "vague concept" or "unclear idea" can provide similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vague concept

Replaces "notion" with "concept", maintaining the sense of an idea but emphasizing its lack of clarity.

ill-defined idea

Substitutes "fuzzy" with "ill-defined", highlighting the lack of clear definition in the idea.

unclear concept

Emphasizes the lack of clarity by using "unclear" instead of "fuzzy".

imprecise idea

Focuses on the lack of precision in the idea, using "imprecise" as an alternative to "fuzzy".

ambiguous concept

Highlights the ambiguity of the concept, suggesting it can be interpreted in multiple ways.

nebulous idea

Uses "nebulous" to describe an idea that is hazy and indistinct, similar to "fuzzy".

hazy concept

Replaces "fuzzy" with "hazy", suggesting a lack of clarity and distinctness.

vague impression

Shifts from "notion" to "impression", suggesting a less concrete idea.

tenuous grasp

Emphasizes the weak or uncertain understanding of something.

ill-formed concept

Highlights that the concept is poorly structured or developed.

FAQs

What does "fuzzy notion" mean?

A "fuzzy notion" refers to an idea or concept that is vague, unclear, or not well-defined. It lacks precision and may be difficult to grasp or articulate clearly.

How can I use "fuzzy notion" in a sentence?

You might say, "The politician's promises were based on a "fuzzy notion" of economic reform," indicating the promises lacked specific details.

What are some alternatives to "fuzzy notion"?

Alternatives include "vague concept", "unclear idea", or "imprecise concept", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "fuzzy notion" a formal or informal term?

"Fuzzy notion" is generally considered a neutral term, suitable for both informal and semi-formal contexts. However, in highly formal or technical writing, it's best to use more precise language.