What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dimly
Example
The room was dimly lit, making it difficult to read. [dimly: adverb]
Example
I remember dimly the events of that night. [dimly: adverb]
Example
She understood dimly what the professor was trying to explain. [dimly: adverb]
vaguely
Example
He vaguely remembered meeting her at a party. [vaguely: adverb]
Example
The instructions were vaguely worded, making it hard to follow. [vaguely: adverb]
Example
She had a vague idea of what she wanted to do after graduation. [vague: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vaguely is more commonly used than dimly in everyday language. Vaguely is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while dimly is less common and more specific in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dimly and vaguely?
Both dimly and vaguely are relatively informal words and can be used in casual conversation or writing. However, dimly may be slightly more formal due to its association with specific environments or situations.
