ENGLISH
REFERENCE

vaguely

adv. manner
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈveɪɡɫi// UK //vˈeɪɡli// vague·ly

adv. in a way that is not clear or certain. You use this when you have a small feeling or memory of something, but you cannot remember the details.

adv. in a way that is uncertain, indefinite, or lacks clear detail. Often modifies verbs of perception or adjectives of similarity.


SIMPLE

I vaguely remember meeting him at a party.

CONTEXTUAL

The witness could only vaguely describe the suspect, as the streetlights were very dim.

COMPLEX

The plot of the new film felt vaguely familiar, though I was certain I had never read the source material or seen the original trailer.

Synonyms
Origin

From vague + -ly.

Usage

Typically placed before the verb it modifies or before an adjective.

Pitfall

I remember him vague.I remember him vaguely.Learners often use the adjective 'vague' when the adverbial form 'vaguely' is required to modify the verb.

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