nebulous

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Not clear or exact; vague and without a definite shape or plan.

   Grammar: Usually describes ideas, plans, or concepts; can be comparative: 'a more nebulous idea'.

   Patterns

   • nebulous idea
   • nebulous concept
   • nebulous plans

   The company's future plans are still nebulous.

   He had only a nebulous understanding of the rules.

   Her nebulous explanation left everyone confused.

2. 2adjectivecomparableliterary

   Having a form that is not clearly defined; hazy or cloud-like.

   Grammar: Often used in literary or formal writing to describe shapes or outlines.

   Patterns

   • nebulous shape
   • nebulous outline
   • nebulous mass

   A nebulous figure appeared in the fog.

   The mountains were a nebulous gray in the distance.

   The nebula itself is a nebulous cloud of gas and dust.

Word forms

Common combinations

nebulous idea

He had a nebulous idea of what the job involved.

nebulous concept

The concept of time is nebulous for young children.

nebulous plans

Their plans for the trip were still nebulous.

nebulous shape

A nebulous shape moved behind the curtain.

Synonyms and how they differ

vague

More common and less formal; often describes speech or memory.

hazy

Suggests lack of clarity due to poor visibility or incomplete memory.

unclear

Simply means not easy to understand; less literary than nebulous.

Opposites

Word family

nebula noun

A cloud of gas and dust in space.

nebulously adverb

In a vague or unclear manner.

nebulousness noun

The quality of being vague or unclear.

Commonly confused: nebulous or nebular?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “nebulous”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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