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nebulous

Adjective

IPA /ˈnebjələs/

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Meaning in plain English

Not clearly explained, understood or defined, making it difficult to know exactly what something means or how it will work.

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Pronunciation

nebulous/ˈnebjələs/

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A plan has no clear goal or steps
A clear plan states what to do and when

A nebulous plan remains vague and difficult to understand or carry out.

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Our plans for the summer were still nebulous in May.
The proposal described a nebulous goal but offered no practical steps.

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Our plans for the summer were still ________ in May.

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nebulous — Not clearly explained, understood or defined, making it difficult to know exactly what something means or how it will work.

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Not clearly explained, understood or defined, making it difficult to know exactly what something means or how it will work.

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Word origin

From Latin nebulosus or French nebuleux, ultimately related to nebula, meaning mist.

Did you know?

The earlier cloudy sense helps explain the modern figurative meaning of unclear.

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