Difference between “vague”, “unclear” and “ambiguous” The 2019 Stack Overflow Developer Survey Results Are InWhat is the difference between “raise” and “rise”?Difference between “except” and “besides”What's the difference between “reliable” and “dependable”?What's the difference between “rise” and “arise”Difference between “indefinite” and “indecisive”What's the difference between “intent”, “intention” and “purpose”?What is the difference between “revenue” and “income”?What is the difference between “skilled” and “skillful”?Difference between obfuscate and obscure?the difference between lives and beings
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Difference between “vague”, “unclear” and “ambiguous”
The 2019 Stack Overflow Developer Survey Results Are InWhat is the difference between “raise” and “rise”?Difference between “except” and “besides”What's the difference between “reliable” and “dependable”?What's the difference between “rise” and “arise”Difference between “indefinite” and “indecisive”What's the difference between “intent”, “intention” and “purpose”?What is the difference between “revenue” and “income”?What is the difference between “skilled” and “skillful”?Difference between obfuscate and obscure?the difference between lives and beings
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What is the difference between "vague", "unclear" and "ambiguous"? All three have the same meaning to me, so when should each be used?
differences adjectives
edited May 12 '12 at 7:27
RegDwigнt♦
83.5k31281382
asked May 12 '12 at 7:11
phantomphantom
67128
add a comment |
What is the difference between "vague", "unclear" and "ambiguous"? All three have the same meaning to me, so when should each be used?
differences adjectives
edited May 12 '12 at 7:27
RegDwigнt♦
83.5k31281382
asked May 12 '12 at 7:11
phantomphantom
67128
and nebulous too
– Ooker
Feb 2 '16 at 6:42
add a comment |
What is the difference between "vague", "unclear" and "ambiguous"? All three have the same meaning to me, so when should each be used?
differences adjectives
edited May 12 '12 at 7:27
RegDwigнt♦
83.5k31281382
asked May 12 '12 at 7:11
phantomphantom
67128
What is the difference between "vague", "unclear" and "ambiguous"? All three have the same meaning to me, so when should each be used?
differences adjectives
differences adjectives
edited May 12 '12 at 7:27
RegDwigнt♦
83.5k31281382
asked May 12 '12 at 7:11
phantomphantom
67128
edited May 12 '12 at 7:27
RegDwigнt♦
83.5k31281382
asked May 12 '12 at 7:11
phantomphantom
67128
edited May 12 '12 at 7:27
RegDwigнt♦
83.5k31281382
edited May 12 '12 at 7:27
RegDwigнt♦
83.5k31281382
edited May 12 '12 at 7:27
RegDwigнt♦
83.5k31281382
83.5k31281382
asked May 12 '12 at 7:11
phantomphantom
67128
asked May 12 '12 at 7:11
phantomphantom
67128
asked May 12 '12 at 7:11
phantomphantom
67128
67128
and nebulous too
– Ooker
Feb 2 '16 at 6:42
add a comment |
and nebulous too
– Ooker
Feb 2 '16 at 6:42
and nebulous too
– Ooker
Feb 2 '16 at 6:42
and nebulous too
– Ooker
Feb 2 '16 at 6:42
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
Vague means that the information is lacking in detail - if you give a vague description of something, the listener/reader won't be able to imagine the subject with much precision.
Unclear could mean the same but also might suggest that the information is confusing, either as a result of poor use of language or perhaps through contradicting information.
Ambiguous is when something can have more than one meaning or refer to more than one subject and the listener/reader might have difficulty knowing exactly what it is you are describing.
answered May 12 '12 at 11:33
KarlKarl
5,6152032
add a comment |
'Vague' is used where something lacks precision or detail, while 'ambiguous' is something that could have two meanings, or is open to interpretation.
"Where is David?" ~ "He is in Europe" is vague, as Europe is a big place and David could be in any of it.
"I saw David in my car" is ambiguous, because it is not clear whether 'I' or 'David' was in the car.
answered May 12 '12 at 7:21
Roaring FishRoaring Fish
14.3k12453
1
thanks roaring, your example are so clear to understand me.
– phantom
May 14 '12 at 5:56
add a comment |
The difference between "vague", "unclear" and "ambiguous"?
Their difference is in USE ...
But they all MEAN that something is not well defined.
answered 5 hours ago
Sigurd VojnovSigurd Vojnov
1
New contributor
Sigurd Vojnov is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
But isn't the meaning of all words in English established by use?
– Hot Licks
5 hours ago
@HotLicks then how would the first people to use English understand what was meant?
– JJJ
3 hours ago
@JJJ - They invented the meanings.
– Hot Licks
3 hours ago
@HotLicks sure, but how did they inform their interlocutors of their invention? It's not like they could tell them in English. It's quite the brain teaser. ;)
– JJJ
3 hours ago
add a comment |
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Vague means that the information is lacking in detail - if you give a vague description of something, the listener/reader won't be able to imagine the subject with much precision.
Unclear could mean the same but also might suggest that the information is confusing, either as a result of poor use of language or perhaps through contradicting information.
Ambiguous is when something can have more than one meaning or refer to more than one subject and the listener/reader might have difficulty knowing exactly what it is you are describing.
answered May 12 '12 at 11:33
KarlKarl
5,6152032
add a comment |
Vague means that the information is lacking in detail - if you give a vague description of something, the listener/reader won't be able to imagine the subject with much precision.
Unclear could mean the same but also might suggest that the information is confusing, either as a result of poor use of language or perhaps through contradicting information.
Ambiguous is when something can have more than one meaning or refer to more than one subject and the listener/reader might have difficulty knowing exactly what it is you are describing.
answered May 12 '12 at 11:33
KarlKarl
5,6152032
add a comment |
Vague means that the information is lacking in detail - if you give a vague description of something, the listener/reader won't be able to imagine the subject with much precision.
Unclear could mean the same but also might suggest that the information is confusing, either as a result of poor use of language or perhaps through contradicting information.
Ambiguous is when something can have more than one meaning or refer to more than one subject and the listener/reader might have difficulty knowing exactly what it is you are describing.
answered May 12 '12 at 11:33
KarlKarl
5,6152032
Vague means that the information is lacking in detail - if you give a vague description of something, the listener/reader won't be able to imagine the subject with much precision.
Unclear could mean the same but also might suggest that the information is confusing, either as a result of poor use of language or perhaps through contradicting information.
Ambiguous is when something can have more than one meaning or refer to more than one subject and the listener/reader might have difficulty knowing exactly what it is you are describing.
answered May 12 '12 at 11:33
KarlKarl
5,6152032
edited May 14 '12 at 7:23
answered May 12 '12 at 11:33
KarlKarl
5,6152032
answered May 12 '12 at 11:33
KarlKarl
5,6152032
answered May 12 '12 at 11:33
KarlKarl
5,6152032
5,6152032
add a comment |
add a comment |
'Vague' is used where something lacks precision or detail, while 'ambiguous' is something that could have two meanings, or is open to interpretation.
"Where is David?" ~ "He is in Europe" is vague, as Europe is a big place and David could be in any of it.
"I saw David in my car" is ambiguous, because it is not clear whether 'I' or 'David' was in the car.
answered May 12 '12 at 7:21
Roaring FishRoaring Fish
14.3k12453
1
thanks roaring, your example are so clear to understand me.
– phantom
May 14 '12 at 5:56
add a comment |
'Vague' is used where something lacks precision or detail, while 'ambiguous' is something that could have two meanings, or is open to interpretation.
"Where is David?" ~ "He is in Europe" is vague, as Europe is a big place and David could be in any of it.
"I saw David in my car" is ambiguous, because it is not clear whether 'I' or 'David' was in the car.
answered May 12 '12 at 7:21
Roaring FishRoaring Fish
14.3k12453
1
thanks roaring, your example are so clear to understand me.
– phantom
May 14 '12 at 5:56
add a comment |
'Vague' is used where something lacks precision or detail, while 'ambiguous' is something that could have two meanings, or is open to interpretation.
"Where is David?" ~ "He is in Europe" is vague, as Europe is a big place and David could be in any of it.
"I saw David in my car" is ambiguous, because it is not clear whether 'I' or 'David' was in the car.
answered May 12 '12 at 7:21
Roaring FishRoaring Fish
14.3k12453
'Vague' is used where something lacks precision or detail, while 'ambiguous' is something that could have two meanings, or is open to interpretation.
"Where is David?" ~ "He is in Europe" is vague, as Europe is a big place and David could be in any of it.
"I saw David in my car" is ambiguous, because it is not clear whether 'I' or 'David' was in the car.
answered May 12 '12 at 7:21
Roaring FishRoaring Fish
14.3k12453
edited May 12 '12 at 8:39
answered May 12 '12 at 7:21
Roaring FishRoaring Fish
14.3k12453
answered May 12 '12 at 7:21
Roaring FishRoaring Fish
14.3k12453
answered May 12 '12 at 7:21
Roaring FishRoaring Fish
14.3k12453
14.3k12453
1
thanks roaring, your example are so clear to understand me.
– phantom
May 14 '12 at 5:56
add a comment |
1
thanks roaring, your example are so clear to understand me.
– phantom
May 14 '12 at 5:56
1
1
thanks roaring, your example are so clear to understand me.
– phantom
May 14 '12 at 5:56
thanks roaring, your example are so clear to understand me.
– phantom
May 14 '12 at 5:56
add a comment |
The difference between "vague", "unclear" and "ambiguous"?
Their difference is in USE ...
But they all MEAN that something is not well defined.
answered 5 hours ago
Sigurd VojnovSigurd Vojnov
1
New contributor
Sigurd Vojnov is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
But isn't the meaning of all words in English established by use?
– Hot Licks
5 hours ago
@HotLicks then how would the first people to use English understand what was meant?
– JJJ
3 hours ago
@JJJ - They invented the meanings.
– Hot Licks
3 hours ago
@HotLicks sure, but how did they inform their interlocutors of their invention? It's not like they could tell them in English. It's quite the brain teaser. ;)
– JJJ
3 hours ago
add a comment |
The difference between "vague", "unclear" and "ambiguous"?
Their difference is in USE ...
But they all MEAN that something is not well defined.
answered 5 hours ago
Sigurd VojnovSigurd Vojnov
1
New contributor
Sigurd Vojnov is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
But isn't the meaning of all words in English established by use?
– Hot Licks
5 hours ago
@HotLicks then how would the first people to use English understand what was meant?
– JJJ
3 hours ago
@JJJ - They invented the meanings.
– Hot Licks
3 hours ago
@HotLicks sure, but how did they inform their interlocutors of their invention? It's not like they could tell them in English. It's quite the brain teaser. ;)
– JJJ
3 hours ago
add a comment |
The difference between "vague", "unclear" and "ambiguous"?
Their difference is in USE ...
But they all MEAN that something is not well defined.
answered 5 hours ago
Sigurd VojnovSigurd Vojnov
1
New contributor
Sigurd Vojnov is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
The difference between "vague", "unclear" and "ambiguous"?
Their difference is in USE ...
But they all MEAN that something is not well defined.
answered 5 hours ago
Sigurd VojnovSigurd Vojnov
1
New contributor
Sigurd Vojnov is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 5 hours ago
Sigurd VojnovSigurd Vojnov
1
New contributor
Sigurd Vojnov is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 5 hours ago
Sigurd VojnovSigurd Vojnov
1
answered 5 hours ago
Sigurd VojnovSigurd Vojnov
1
1
New contributor
Sigurd Vojnov is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Sigurd Vojnov is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Sigurd Vojnov is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
But isn't the meaning of all words in English established by use?
– Hot Licks
5 hours ago
@HotLicks then how would the first people to use English understand what was meant?
– JJJ
3 hours ago
@JJJ - They invented the meanings.
– Hot Licks
3 hours ago
@HotLicks sure, but how did they inform their interlocutors of their invention? It's not like they could tell them in English. It's quite the brain teaser. ;)
– JJJ
3 hours ago
add a comment |
1
But isn't the meaning of all words in English established by use?
– Hot Licks
5 hours ago
@HotLicks then how would the first people to use English understand what was meant?
– JJJ
3 hours ago
@JJJ - They invented the meanings.
– Hot Licks
3 hours ago
@HotLicks sure, but how did they inform their interlocutors of their invention? It's not like they could tell them in English. It's quite the brain teaser. ;)
– JJJ
3 hours ago
1
1
But isn't the meaning of all words in English established by use?
– Hot Licks
5 hours ago
But isn't the meaning of all words in English established by use?
– Hot Licks
5 hours ago
@HotLicks then how would the first people to use English understand what was meant?
– JJJ
3 hours ago
@HotLicks then how would the first people to use English understand what was meant?
– JJJ
3 hours ago
@JJJ - They invented the meanings.
– Hot Licks
3 hours ago
@JJJ - They invented the meanings.
– Hot Licks
3 hours ago
@HotLicks sure, but how did they inform their interlocutors of their invention? It's not like they could tell them in English. It's quite the brain teaser. ;)
– JJJ
3 hours ago
@HotLicks sure, but how did they inform their interlocutors of their invention? It's not like they could tell them in English. It's quite the brain teaser. ;)
– JJJ
3 hours ago
add a comment |
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and nebulous too
– Ooker
Feb 2 '16 at 6:42