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Vague vs Nondescript - What's the difference?

vague | nondescript | Related terms |

As adjectives the difference between vague and nondescript

is that vague is not clearly expressed; stated in indefinite terms while nondescript is not described (in the academic literature); undescribed, unidentified.

As nouns the difference between vague and nondescript

is that vague is a wandering; a vagary while nondescript is an undistinguished, unexceptional person or thing.

As a verb vague

is to wander; to roam; to stray.

vague

English

Adjective

(er)
  • Not clearly expressed; stated in indefinite terms.
  • *
  • *2004: , Character: Profiles in Presidential Courage
  • *:Throughout the first week of his presidency, Dulles and Bissell continued to brief Kennedy on their strategy for Cuba, but the men were vague and their meetings offered little in the way of hard facts.
  • Not having a precise meaning.
  • :
  • Not clearly defined, grasped, or understood; indistinct; slight.
  • :
  • Not clearly felt or sensed; somewhat subconscious.
  • :
  • Not thinking or expressing one’s thoughts clearly or precisely.
  • Lacking expression; vacant.
  • Not sharply outlined; hazy.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Michael Arlen), title= “Piracy”: A Romantic Chronicle of These Days, chapter=Ep./1/2
  • , passage=He walked. To the corner of Hamilton Place and Picadilly, and there stayed for a while, for it is a romantic station by night. The vague and careless rain looked like threads of gossamer silver passing across the light of the arc-lamps.}}
  • Wandering; vagrant; vagabond.
  • *Sir (c.1564-1627)
  • *:to set upon the vague villains
  • *(John Keats) (1795-1821)
  • *:She danced along with vague , regardless eyes.
  • Synonyms

    * obscure * ambiguous

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) A wandering; a vagary.
  • (Holinshed)
  • An indefinite expanse.
  • * Lowell
  • The gray vague of unsympathizing sea.

    Verb

    (vagu)
  • To wander; to roam; to stray.
  • * Holland
  • [The soul] doth vague and wander.

    nondescript

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Not described (in the academic literature); undescribed, unidentified.
  • * 1851 ,
  • In thoroughfares nigh the docks, any considerable seaport will frequently offer to view the queerest looking nondescripts from foreign parts.
  • Without distinguishing qualities or characteristics; unexceptional.
  • He drove a nondescript silver sedan.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An undistinguished, unexceptional person or thing.
  • Anagrams

    *