Unclear

/ʌnˈklɪr/

Meaning & Definition

adjective
Not easy to see, hear, or understand; ambiguous or vague.
The instructions were unclear, leading to confusion among the participants.
Not having a clear or definite form or limit.
His future plans are still unclear, as he hasn't made any decisions yet.
Difficult to perceive or interpret.
The unclear message caused a lot of misunderstandings.

Etymology

Middle English 'unclear', from 'un-' (a prefix meaning 'not') + 'clear'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

go unclear
to become unclear or confusing
unclear on the details
not having a clear understanding of the specifics
it’s unclear whether
it is uncertain if something is true or not

Related Words

clarify
to make something clear or easier to understand
clear
easy to perceive, understand, or interpret
ambiguity
the quality of being open to more than one interpretation

Slang Meanings

murky
The whole situation is so murky, I can't see what's really happening.
fuzzy
My memory of that night is a bit fuzzy, it's all unclear.