vagueness
vagueness Lexical Profile
vagueness Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The quality or state of being indefinite, indistinct, or lacking in precision and clarity of thought, expression, or form.
"The deliberate vagueness of the contract's terms led to a prolonged legal dispute between the two companies."
A lack of concentration, focus, or decisiveness in a person's manner, behavior, or expression.
"A sudden vagueness came over his expression whenever anyone asked about his plans for the future."
Word Nuance & Usage
In linguistics and philosophy, 'vagueness' refers to words with borderline cases and lacking sharp boundaries (such as 'tall' or 'bald'), whereas 'ambiguity' refers to an expression having two or more distinct, specific meanings.
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in English from the adjective 'vague' (borrowed from Middle French 'vague' and Latin 'vagus', meaning 'wandering' or 'unsettled') combined with the native Old English suffix '-ness'.