Nebulous: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe something that is vague, unclear, or lacking in definite shape or form. Often applied to concepts, ideas, or plans.

• Her future plans are still nebulous and undefined.
• The politician’s promises were nebulous and lacked specifics.

Typically describes weather with many clouds or something that is not clear or transparent, often literally. Can also describe a person's mood or thoughts when they're unclear.

• It's a cloudy day, so we might not see the sun.
• The water in the glass is cloudy and not safe to drink.
• His mind was cloudy after the long meeting.

Primarily used to describe a sky completely covered by clouds, leading to a dull, grey appearance. Generally refers to weather conditions.

• It looks like it might rain; it's quite overcast today.
• The weekend was overcast and gloomy, perfect for staying indoors.

Describes something that is partially hidden or obscured by mist, smoke, or dust. Can also refer to unclear memories or understanding.

• The mountains were hazy in the distance.
• After the accident, his memories of the event were hazy.

Appropriate for describing something that is unclear or lacks definite form, often in a figurative or abstract sense.

• His explanation of the project was so nebulous that I couldn't understand the main idea.
• The future goals of the organization remain nebulous.

Best used when something lacks clarity in terms of details or precision. It often suggests a level of uncertainty or imprecision.

• Her directions were so vague that I got lost several times.
• The concept was interesting, but his explanation was too vague to grasp fully.

Ideal for describing something that is not clearly visible, audible, or defined.

• The voices in the distance were indistinct, making it hard to understand what was being said.
• From afar, the figure appeared indistinct and blurry.

Used when something can have more than one interpretation or is open to multiple meanings. This can be intentional or unintentional.

• The results of the test were ambiguous, and we couldn't draw any firm conclusions.
• Her statement was ambiguous and left room for much speculation.