What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
vague
Example
She gave me a vague description of the party's location. [vague: adjective]
Example
He spoke in vague terms about his future plans. [vague: adverb]
imprecise
Example
The measurements were imprecise, leading to inaccurate results. [imprecise: adjective]
Example
Her instructions were too imprecise for me to follow. [imprecise: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vague is more commonly used than imprecise in everyday language. Vague is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while imprecise is more technical and specific.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between vague and imprecise?
Imprecise is typically associated with a more formal tone, while vague can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.