vague
/veɪɡ/
adjective
Origin
Latin
vagus — wandering, strolling, rambling
Overview
Meaning Now
- Of uncertain, indefinite, or unclear character or meaning.
- Thinking or communicating in an unfocused or imprecise way.
Literal older meaning
wandering or roaming
Language path
Latin → Old French → English
Earliest form
vague
Earliest period
16th century
Journey
The word entered English from French and Latin with the original sense of 'roaming' or 'unfixed.' By the 17th century, it shifted from describing physical movement to describing a lack of clarity or definiteness in thought or description.
Evolution
- Latin
vagus
“wandering”
- Old French
vague
“empty, vacuous, wandering”
- Early Modern English
vague
“imprecise, indefinite”
Initially used in a physical sense of 'roaming' before settling into the current abstract meaning.
Connections
Word parts
vague
root
wandering
Related across languages
French
vague or wave
Spanish
vago
lazy or wandering
Explore next
Related to vague
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.