nebulous

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'nebulous' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that means vague or ill-defined. Example: The new marketing strategy was nebulous and did not give any clear direction on how to move forward.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But no, we mustn't fall into the old traps, because the more insistent these allegations become, the more revelatory the establishment is getting about Prince Andrew's efficacy in his deceptively nebulous role.

The Guardian - Opinion

It can convey a fervidly sought-after, though nebulous, charisma (which many of the worst affected yearn to somehow buy) … though of course my usage is heavily ironic.

The Guardian - Books

This advice sounds irritatingly nebulous, but he's done something that worked, in a very short time: from the yes campaign, the SNP got this surge in membership, and with it, political ambition.

The Guardian

For years, advertising for tampons and "sanitary products" have been shrouded in nebulous euphemism.

The Guardian

It was easy to forget the political reality, but later, after they showed me what was left of old Minsk – a handful of buildings survived the war – a nebulous political fear descended on me.

The Guardian

With a gymnastic leap, those on the defensive become the underdogs, cruelly repressed by the BBC, feminists, people from Islington, some nebulous "elite" or the suggestion that sometimes a female character in a videogame might wear a decently supportive bra.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's anchored in the world of real food and real cooking, rather than nebulous notions of 'food tech' and spurious 'product design'.

The Guardian

He also says the idea of millions in shale gas revenues flowing to communities remains "nebulous" and that people living near fracking sites, who might choose to move away if compensated, were "not being treated fairly".

The Guardian

The more nebulous, but arguably more important, is the long-term effect on the future of trade and the world economy.You might suppose that it would not matter much.

The Economist

Since the second one imploded in 1989, it seems past time to put to rest the nebulous and sometimes toxic third-world concept.But the term third world did not originally refer to geopolitics.

The Economist

Elsewhere in America, and in Europe, investors are obsessed by the minutiae of business plans, however nebulous their end-products.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nebulous" when you want to describe something that lacks clear definition or is vague and ill-defined. It can be effective in academic and formal writing to express uncertainty or a lack of specificity.

Common error

Avoid using "nebulous" too frequently in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler synonyms like "vague" or "unclear" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "nebulous" primarily functions to modify nouns, indicating that they lack clarity, definition, or distinctness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It describes something that is vague, hazy, or ill-defined.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "nebulous" is an adjective used to describe something that lacks clear definition or is vague and ill-defined. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It commonly appears in news and media, formal business contexts, and science, indicating its versatility across different registers. When writing, it's important to reserve "nebulous" for situations where you truly want to convey a lack of clarity, and avoid overusing it in informal contexts. Synonyms like "vague", "ill-defined", or "unclear" can be used as alternatives depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ill-defined

This term directly mirrors the 'not clearly defined' aspect of "nebulous".

vague

This is a general synonym emphasizing lack of clarity.

unclear

A direct synonym emphasizing a lack of understanding or clarity.

ambiguous

Suggests multiple possible interpretations, similar to lack of clear definition.

indistinct

Implies a lack of sharp outlines or clarity.

hazy

Similar to "nebulous" in conveying a lack of clarity, often associated with a lack of distinctness.

fuzzy

Similar to "nebulous", implying a lack of clarity or precision.

cloudy

Similar to “nebulous” suggesting obscurity or lack of clarity.

murky

Suggests obscurity, often due to complexity or a lack of transparency.

obscure

Similar to "nebulous" in that it describes something hidden, not easily discovered, or not clearly expressed.

FAQs

How can I use "nebulous" in a sentence?

You can use "nebulous" to describe concepts, ideas, or plans that lack clear definition. For example, "The company's strategy for the future remains "nebulous"."

What are some alternatives to "nebulous"?

Alternatives include "vague", "ill-defined", "ambiguous", and "unclear". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "nebulous" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "nebulous" when you want to convey that something is not well-defined or is lacking clarity, often in formal or academic contexts.

Is there a difference between "nebulous" and "obscure"?

"Nebulous" suggests a lack of clear definition or outline, while "obscure" implies that something is hidden or not easily understood. Although similar, "nebulous" emphasizes vagueness, while "obscure" emphasizes difficulty in comprehension.