Words / C2

NEB-y-uh-l-uh-s/ˈnebjələs/

Nebulous means vague and ill-defined, as if seen through cloud: a nebulous promise, nebulous aims. Vague is everyday; obscure (already in the dictionary) is hard to understand, not merely shapeless. A nebula is a cloud of gas in space — the image. Do not call a technical appendix nebulous because you have not opened it.

Meaning

Not clear or exact; vague, like a cloud (formal).

Examples

• “A nebulous “in due course” is not a return date for the key.”
• “Vague is everyday. Cloudy is the metaphor (already in the dictionary). Obscure is hard to follow (already in C1). A long methods clause can be exact. “In due course” with no owner is nebulous.”

Good to know

Vague; ill-defined. Everyday: vague. Cousin: obscure (hard to grasp). Mix-up: a dense paper you have not read. Name a date.

Near in meaning

vague

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