Gloss · Words · Nebulous

nebulous

ˈnɛbjələsadjective

What does nebulous mean?

Vague and unclear, with no firm shape.

Nebulous, six ways

PlainVague and unclear, with no firm shape.
ADHDVague. Fuzzy. No clear edges.
Gen ZA plan so vague it is basically fog.
MetaphorA cloud you cannot grab, however much of it is in your hand.
FormalIn the form of a cloud or haze; hence ill-defined, vague.
Like I’m 5Something fuzzy and unclear, like a cloud with no shape. That’s nebulous.

How to pronounce nebulous

NEB-yuh-lus/ˈnɛbjələs/

Nebulous in a sentence

Their goals for the year remained nebulous.
The job description was nebulous at best.
Plans for the site remain nebulous.

Synonyms for nebulous

vaguePlainer.
hazyUnclear, as if in fog.
ill-definedLacking clear edges.

Where nebulous comes from

Latin. Nebula, mist, cloud.

Good to know

Used of ideas, plans and boundaries that lack a firm shape: a nebulous plan. In astronomy, a nebula is a cloud of gas and dust in space.

Nebulous meaning, on a Gloss card: Vague and unclear, with no firm shape.

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