unclear
gb/ʌŋklˈɪɹ/ us/ʌŋklˈɪɹ/
B1
English
~ 5800
nem egyértelmű, nem világos, zavaros, bizonytalan, nem biztos, tisztázatlan, homályos, elmosódott, életlen, nem tiszta, rosszul hallható, érthetetlen
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is unclear
The instructions for assembling the chair are unclear and need to be rewritten.
A szék összeszerelési útmutatója nem egyértelmű, ezért át kell írni.
His email was so unclear that no one knew what he wanted us to do.
Annyira nem volt világos az e-mailje, hogy senki sem tudta, mit vár tőlünk.
The meaning of this sentence is unclear because of the strange word order.
Students complained that the exam questions were unclear and confusing.
The contract is unclear in several places and could cause legal problems.
Learner examples
The teacher’s answer was unclear to me.
A tanár válasza nem volt világos számomra.
This map is unclear, so I cannot find the bus stop.
Ez a térkép nem egyértelmű, ezért nem találom a buszmegállót.
Her message was unclear, so I called to ask again.
The rules are unclear, so people do not know what to do.
The sign is unclear and many drivers make mistakes.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"It is very not clear"* instead of *"It is very unclear"* or *"It is not very clear"*. Both *"unclear"* and *"not clear"* are correct, but *"very not clear"* sounds unnatural.
Meaning
not easy to understand
Collocations
unclear instructions
|unclear explanation
|unclear message
|unclear wording
|unclear writing
|unclear contract
Synonyms
confusing (Emphasizes that something actively causes confusion or difficulty in understanding.)
|
vague (Suggests a lack of detail or precision rather than active confusion.)
|
ambiguous (Stresses that something can be understood in more than one way.)
Antonyms
clear (General opposite, meaning easy to understand.)
|
explicit (Emphasizes that something is stated very directly and with full detail.)
Themes
communication
|education
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not easy to understand because the words or ideas are confusing or not complete.
Not easy to understand because it is expressed in a confusing, imprecise, or incomplete way.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
it is unclear whether [clause]
It is still unclear whether the company will survive the crisis.
Még mindig bizonytalan, hogy a vállalat túléli-e a válságot.
For reasons that remain unclear, the decision was delayed again.
Továbbra is tisztázatlan okokból ismét elhalasztották a döntést.
Police say it is unclear how the fire started.
At this stage, it is unclear if any jobs will be lost.
The long-term effects of the medicine are unclear.
Learner examples
It is unclear whether he will come to the party.
Nem biztos, hogy eljön a buliba.
The future of the project is unclear.
A projekt jövője bizonytalan.
It is unclear if the store will open next year.
The cause of the problem is unclear.
It is unclear how long the trip will take.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *"unclear"* only for language, but it is also very common for facts and situations, often with patterns like *"It is unclear whether..."* or *"It remains unclear how..."*.
Meaning
not known or not certain
Collocations
it is unclear whether
|remain unclear
|still unclear
|unclear how
|unclear if
|for reasons that are unclear
Synonyms
uncertain (Focuses on not being sure about a result or situation.)
|
unknown (Stronger; suggests that nobody knows the information.)
Antonyms
certain (Opposite in terms of confidence that something is true or will happen.)
|
obvious (Opposite in that something is very easy for everyone to see or understand.)
Themes
knowledge
|news
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not known or not sure, especially about what is true or what will happen.
Not known, decided, or certain, especially about a fact, result, or situation.
B2
3
Usage pattern:
[something] looks unclear
The image on the projector is unclear, so we can’t read the numbers.
A kivetített kép homályos, ezért nem tudjuk elolvasni a számokat.
The photo is too unclear to use in the report.
A fotó túl homályos ahhoz, hogy felhasználjuk a jelentésben.
Because of the fog, the road signs were unclear from a distance.
The text on my phone is unclear; I think I need new glasses.
If the video is unclear, try changing the quality settings.
Learner examples
The picture is unclear because the camera moved.
A kép elmosódott, mert bemozdult a kamera.
The words on the board are unclear from the back of the room.
A terem hátuljából nem látszanak tisztán a táblán lévő szavak.
The screen is unclear when the sun is strong.
This map is unclear, so I cannot read the names.
The photo was unclear, so she took another one.
Common mistake:
Learners often use only *"blurry"* or *"not clear"* for photos and screens. *"Unclear"* is also natural, especially in more formal or written contexts.
Meaning
not sharp or easy to see
Collocations
unclear image
|unclear photo
|unclear picture
|unclear text
|unclear screen
Synonyms
blurry (Very common for photos or images that are not in focus.)
|
fuzzy (Informal; suggests soft edges or poor focus.)
Antonyms
sharp (Stresses that the edges and details are very clear and easy to see.)
|
distinct (Emphasizes that shapes or details are separate and easy to see.)
Themes
perception
|technology
|body
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not easy to see because it is not sharp or is out of focus.
Not sharp, distinct, or easy to see, often because it is blurred, out of focus, or poorly lit.
B2
4
Usage pattern:
[sound] is unclear
The sound on the video is unclear, so it’s hard to catch what she says.
A videó hangja nem tiszta, ezért nehéz kivenni, mit mond.
His voice was unclear on the phone because the signal was weak.
A telefonban nem volt tiszta a hangja, mert gyenge volt a térerő.
The recording is too unclear to use in court.
Announcements in the station were unclear over the old speakers.
The microphone made my speech unclear, and many people complained.
Learner examples
The teacher’s voice was unclear because of the noise outside.
A kinti zaj miatt rosszul lehetett hallani a tanár hangját.
The call was unclear, so I asked him to repeat his name.
Nem volt tiszta a vonal, ezért megkértem, hogy ismételje meg a nevét.
The sound in this movie is unclear on my laptop.
The recording is unclear; we cannot hear the words.
Her message was unclear because the audio was bad.
Common mistake:
Learners often use only *"I can’t hear"* in situations where native speakers might say *"The sound is unclear"* or *"The audio isn’t clear."* Using *"unclear"* sounds more precise and natural.
Meaning
not easy to hear clearly
Collocations
unclear sound
|unclear audio
|unclear recording
|unclear voice
|unclear call
Synonyms
muffled (Suggests the sound is soft and blocked, like through a wall or cloth.)
|
indistinct (More formal; emphasizes that individual sounds cannot be separated.)
Antonyms
audible (Opposite in that something can be heard clearly enough.)
|
crisp (For sound, suggests it is very clear and sharp.)
Themes
perception
|technology
|communication
|body
Definition
Not easy to hear or understand because the sound is not strong or is mixed with other sounds.
Not easy to hear or understand because the sound is weak, distorted, or mixed with other noise.
B2
5
zavaros
B1
bizonytalan
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is unclear about [something]
After the accident, his thinking was unclear and he couldn’t remember simple things.
A baleset után zavaros volt a gondolkodása, és egyszerű dolgokra sem emlékezett.
I’m still unclear about my long-term goals.
Még mindig bizonytalan vagyok a hosszú távú céljaimat illetően.
Her position on the issue is unclear, even to her closest friends.
They entered the meeting with unclear priorities and wasted a lot of time.
If you are unclear about any part of the plan, please ask now.
Learner examples
I am unclear about the next step.
Bizonytalan vagyok a következő lépéssel kapcsolatban.
He was tired and his thinking was unclear.
Fáradt volt, és zavaros volt a gondolkodása.
She is unclear about what she wants to study.
The team was unclear about the plan for the day.
If you are unclear about the task, talk to your manager.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"I am confused of the plan"* instead of *"I am confused about the plan"* or *"I am unclear about the plan"*. Use the preposition *about* after *unclear* or *confused* in this sense.
Meaning
confused or not well thought out
Collocations
unclear thinking
|unclear ideas
|unclear about the details
|mentally unclear
|unclear goals
Synonyms
confused (General; focuses on not understanding something or not being able to think clearly.)
|
muddled (Suggests thoughts that are mixed up and not logically ordered.)
Antonyms
clear-headed (Emphasizes the ability to think in a calm and logical way.)
|
focused (Stresses strong, directed attention and organized thinking.)
Themes
emotions
|psychology
|work
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Definition
Having ideas or plans that are not clear in your mind or not well planned.
Having thoughts, ideas, or plans that are not well organized, definite, or easy to follow.
Grammar
Dictionary form
unclear
IPA
GB/ʌŋklˈɪɹ/
US/ʌŋklˈɪɹ/
Syllables & stress
un - clear (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (clear)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: unclear
Word family
Expressions
it is unclear whether
1/ˈɪt ˈɪz ʌŋklˈɪɹ wˈɛðɚ/
fixed phrase
saying a fact is unknown
We do not know if something is true or will happen.
Examples
- It is unclear whether the new law will pass this year.
- It is unclear whether she will accept the job offer.
- It is unclear whether the event can go ahead because of the weather.
unclear on the concept
1/ʌŋklˈɪɹ ˈɔn ðə kˈɑnsɛpt/
idiom
informal
not understanding a basic idea
Not understanding a simple basic idea or rule that should be clear.
Examples
- If you think you can park on the sidewalk, you’re unclear on the concept.
- He seems a bit unclear on the concept of teamwork.
- Anyone who sends spam to their friends is clearly unclear on the concept of good manners.