poorly defined

USAGE SUMMARY

"poorly defined" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something is not clearly understood or expressed. For example, "The terms of the agreement were poorly defined, making it difficult to enforce."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is all poorly defined.

The New York Times

Many that are reported are poorly defined.

The Economist

Boundaries for the division were poorly defined.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But much remains vague or poorly defined.

The Guardian

The toxicology of germanium and its compounds is poorly defined.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One key problem is admin costs appear to be poorly defined.

The Guardian

The boundaries between musical styles of are often poorly defined and open to interpretation.

The Guardian - Music

It appears to refer to terrorist leaders, a poorly defined category.

The New York Times

And it's very hard for people to change their behavior based on poorly defined risks".

The New York Times

But it's hard to wage a war against a poorly defined enemy.

The New Yorker

"They wouldn't have had a control group and the outcomes would be poorly defined".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "poorly defined", ensure that you provide context or examples to illustrate the lack of clarity. For example, instead of saying "The project scope was poorly defined", specify which aspects were unclear or what challenges resulted from the lack of definition.

Common error

Avoid using "poorly defined" without clarifying what should be defined. Simply stating something is "poorly defined" without further explanation leaves room for misinterpretation. Provide specific details about the missing or unclear aspects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poorly defined" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a lack of clarity or precision in its definition. As shown in Ludwig, it's often used to describe concepts, boundaries, or requirements that are not well-established.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poorly defined" is a common adjective phrase used to describe something lacking clarity or precision. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across different contexts, particularly in science and news media. To ensure clear communication, it is important to clarify what aspects are "poorly defined" rather than simply stating it. Consider alternatives like "vaguely defined" or "ill-defined" depending on the desired nuance. When writing, specify the unclear aspects to avoid misinterpretation. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing boundaries, requirements, and concepts needing further clarification. Using "poorly defined" effectively enhances the accuracy and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vaguely defined

Changes the adjective to "vaguely", suggesting a lack of clarity or precision.

ill-defined

Replaces "poorly" with "ill-", which is a more formal synonym conveying a similar meaning of lacking clarity.

inadequately defined

Uses "inadequately" to emphasize that the definition is insufficient or not good enough.

imprecisely defined

Substitutes "poorly" with "imprecisely", focusing on the lack of exactness in the definition.

ambiguously defined

Replaces "poorly" with "ambiguously", highlighting that the definition is open to multiple interpretations.

lacking definition

Changes the structure to emphasize the absence of a clear definition.

not clearly defined

Expresses the same meaning in a more explicit and straightforward manner.

deficient in definition

Presents a more formal and emphatic way of saying something is lacking a good definition.

sketchily defined

Emphasizes the superficial or incomplete nature of the definition.

loosely defined

Indicates that the definition is flexible or not strictly enforced.

FAQs

How can I use "poorly defined" in a sentence?

You can use "poorly defined" to describe concepts, boundaries, requirements, or characteristics that lack clarity or precision. For example: "The boundaries of the protected area are "poorly defined", leading to enforcement challenges."

What are some alternatives to "poorly defined"?

Alternatives to "poorly defined" include "vaguely defined", "ill-defined", "inadequately defined", or "not clearly defined". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "poorly defined" or "undefined"?

"Poorly defined" suggests that there is an attempt at a definition, but it's inadequate. "Undefined" implies there is no definition at all. Use "poorly defined" when something has a vague or incomplete explanation, and "undefined" when it lacks any definition.

What does it mean when something is "poorly defined" in a research context?

In research, a "poorly defined" variable, concept, or methodology means that its parameters or characteristics are not clearly established, making it difficult to measure, analyze, or replicate the study accurately. It highlights a need for further clarification and operationalization.