Nebulous
hardNegative toneNEB-yuh-lus
adjective
Definition
In the form of a cloud; vague or ill-defined
Memory hook
A NEBULA in space is a cloudy, hazy mass — nebulous means vague and unclear.
Word roots
nebula— cloud/mist(Latin)
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“His nebulous plans lacked concrete details.”
“The company's nebulous goals confused employees.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“His ______ plans lacked concrete details.”
Show answer
nebulous
Synonyms
Antonyms
cleardefiniteprecisedistinct
Categories
GRE Tip
Nebulous is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "vague" or "amorphous" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "clear".
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