vaguely

USAGE SUMMARY

"vaguely" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adverb that means in an imprecise or uncertain way. An example sentence is "I vaguely remembered his name."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Gomez and Badly Drawn Boy are past winners, and share a vaguely similar approach to songwriting, but in the past solo folk/indie songwriters haven't triumphed at the Mercuries.

The Guardian - Music

Gehri told The Guardian: "I vaguely remember the story but the plan was never implemented and I believe most everyone associated with that has long since retired.

The Guardian

Here, a note of caution for parents: the baby-listener we brought didn't reach through any of the hotel's giant stone walls, so you have to be comfortable with just going up to check on them… or not checking on them and just vaguely hoping they're OK, which, after about an hour, I decided was by far the best course.

The Guardian - Travel

We'd laugh about it later, but at the time it was terrifying, partly because it was vaguely familiar.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cameron has looked medically exhausted since about February, Clegg has become so utterly submerged in self-loathing that he now spends his days reading horrible tweets about himself out loud and Miliband has already lost the strength of mind to realise that carving vaguely worded platitudes into a limestone slab is the very stupidest thing that any human being has ever suggested.

The Guardian

The sneaky, vaguely socially awkward passion just "is".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

To risk a generalisation: Irish people know this in their bones; English people are at best vaguely aware.

The Guardian - Opinion

Relationships between students and sabbs might not immediately seem particularly ill-advised, and you do get a kind of second-hand power rush from dating someone vaguely important.

The Guardian

But even the most insular Briton vaguely knows that most EU states routinely run on coalition lines.

The Guardian

Often I find people vaguely aware that an election is due and without a strong opinion.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is a macho machine, vaguely smug: it feels less about childish treats on sunny days than whipping up peanut-butter ice-cream, rosewater gelato and basil sorbets to make your friends feel bad about their lives.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vaguely" to soften criticism or disagreement. For example: "I was vaguely disappointed by the outcome."

Common error

Avoid pairing "vaguely" with strong action verbs. This can create a mixed message, as "vaguely decided" might suggest indecision, whereas "I considered" or "thought about" will convey a more decisive act.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "vaguely" functions primarily to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating a lack of precision, clarity, or certainty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vaguely" is a versatile adverb used to express imprecision or uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in News & Media. Alternatives like "indistinctly" or "roughly" can provide slightly different nuances. When using "vaguely", be mindful of the verb it modifies to avoid creating conflicting meanings. Employ it to soften claims or express a lack of detailed knowledge effectively. Mastering this adverb can greatly enhance the subtlety and accuracy of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indistinctly

Focuses more on the lack of clear perception or definition.

imprecisely

Emphasizes a lack of accuracy or exactness.

roughly

Suggests an approximation rather than a complete lack of clarity.

somewhat

Indicates a partial or limited degree of certainty or detail.

loosely

Implies a lack of strictness or precision in the connection or understanding.

faintly

Highlights the weak or subtle nature of the perception or memory.

dimly

Similar to faintly but can also suggest a lack of intellectual clarity.

obscurely

Highlights the hidden or unclear nature of something.

partially

Implies that only some aspects are understood or remembered.

superficially

Suggests a lack of deep understanding or engagement.

FAQs

How can I use "vaguely" in a sentence?

You can use "vaguely" to indicate a lack of clarity or precision in memory, understanding, or feeling. For example, "I "vaguely remember" the event" or "I felt "vaguely uneasy" about his decision."

What are some alternatives to the word "vaguely"?

Alternatives to "vaguely" include "indistinctly", "imprecisely", or "roughly", depending on the specific context. Each alternative offers a slightly different nuance in meaning.

Is it correct to say "I vaguely know him" or "I know him vaguely"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "I "vaguely know him"" is more common and natural-sounding. It emphasizes the lack of strong acquaintance.

What's the difference between "vaguely" and "slightly"?

"Vaguely" suggests a lack of clarity or detail, while "slightly" indicates a small degree or extent. For example, "I "vaguely remember"" means my memory is unclear, while "I "slightly remember"" means I have a faint recollection.