What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
vague
Example
The instructions were too vague for me to understand. [vague: adjective]
Example
She spoke in vague terms about her future plans. [vague: adverb]
ambiguous
Example
The meaning of his words was ambiguous and left us confused. [ambiguous: adjective]
Example
Her response to the question was ambiguous, and we couldn't tell what she meant. [ambiguous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vague is more commonly used than ambiguous in everyday language. Vague is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ambiguous is more specific and often used in technical or legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between vague and ambiguous?
Ambiguous is typically associated with a formal or technical tone, while vague is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
