nebulously
|neb-u-lous-ly|
/ˈnɛbjʊləs/
(nebulous)
vague or unclear
Etymology
'nebulous' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'nebulosus', where 'nebula' meant 'mist' or 'cloud'.
'nebulous' changed from Latin 'nebulosus' into Late Latin/Medieval Latin forms and entered English as 'nebulous' in the 17th century, eventually giving rise to the adverb 'nebulously'.
Initially, it meant 'full of mist' or 'foggy' in a physical sense, but over time it evolved to include the figurative meaning 'vague' or 'unclear', which is common in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
in a vague, unclear, or indistinct manner; not giving definite details.
He described the new policy nebulously, leaving listeners unsure what would actually change.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/03 21:25