vaguely defined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vaguely defined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that lacks clear or precise boundaries or characteristics. Example: "The project's goals were vaguely defined, leading to confusion among team members about their responsibilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The young scientists' mission is vaguely defined.

Independent

However, those reforms are usually vaguely defined.

Harvard University

In addition, supervision is often vaguely defined and discontinuous.

Harvard University

These terms remain vaguely defined and arbitrarily applied.

Journal of Criminal Justice

Social indicators stand out for very weak coverage, mainly because they are vaguely defined or incommensurable.

Ecological Economics

We must "win" in Afghanistan — but victory is left vaguely defined.

The New York Times

The government has published five vaguely defined criteria for judging whether euro membership would be advantageous.

The New York Times

At present, a vaguely defined crime ("aggression") may be added to the court's jurisdiction.

The New York Times

Mr. Rumsfeld wanted to limit the conversation to vaguely defined consultations.

The New York Times

"I always got the sense the mission was under-resourced and vaguely defined," Reed said.

The Washington Post

The condition is poorly understood and somewhat vaguely defined, so estimates are not very precise.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "vaguely defined" with more specific terms like "imprecise", "ambiguous", or "ill-defined" if greater precision is needed. This enhances clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid simply stating something is "vaguely defined" without explaining how it is vague. Provide examples or elaborate on the specific aspects that lack clarity to improve comprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vaguely defined" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun lacks clear or precise characteristics. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

34%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "vaguely defined" serves as a crucial linguistic tool for expressing a lack of clarity or precision. Predominantly used in news, scientific, and academic contexts, as noted by Ludwig, it denotes uncertainty in boundaries or characteristics. While grammatically sound and frequently employed, it's best practice to specify the nature of the vagueness for enhanced clarity. Ludwig AI highlights its acceptability and common use, further solidifying its position as a valuable descriptor in diverse writing scenarios. Consider related alternatives like "poorly defined" or "loosely defined" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poorly defined

Indicates a more significant lack of clarity or precision than "vaguely defined".

loosely defined

Suggests a relaxed or flexible definition, lacking strict boundaries.

imprecisely defined

Emphasizes the lack of exactness in the definition.

ambiguously defined

Highlights the potential for multiple interpretations.

ill-defined

Implies a definition that is incomplete or not properly formulated.

unclearly defined

Directly states the lack of clarity in the definition.

indistinctly defined

Suggests a definition that is blurred or not easily perceived.

fuzzily defined

Informal way to describe a lack of sharpness in a definition.

opaquely defined

Implies the definition is obscure and difficult to understand.

tenuously defined

Suggests the definition is weak or lacks a strong basis.

FAQs

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

You can use "vaguely defined" to describe concepts, rules, or objectives that lack clear boundaries or specific details. For example: "The project's goals were "vaguely defined", leading to confusion."

What are some alternatives to "vaguely defined"?

Alternatives include "poorly defined", "loosely defined", or "imprecisely defined", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to be specific or use "vaguely defined"?

Specificity is generally preferred, but "vaguely defined" is appropriate when highlighting a lack of clarity or precision. Follow up with details explaining the source and nature of the vagueness.

What's the difference between "vaguely defined" and "poorly defined"?

"Vaguely defined" suggests a lack of clear boundaries, while "poorly defined" implies a more significant deficiency in the formulation or understanding of the definition.