unclear
gb/ʌŋklˈɪɹ/ us/ʌŋklˈɪɹ/
B1
Inglês
~ 5800
Aceções
0 aceções
adjective
B1
property
1
not easy to understand
Not easy to understand because the words or ideas are confusing or not complete.
Padrão de uso:
[something] is unclear
Erro comum:
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.
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
clear (General opposite, meaning easy to understand.)
|
explicit (Emphasizes that something is stated very directly and with full detail.)
Colocações
unclear instructions
|unclear explanation
|unclear message
|unclear wording
|unclear writing
|unclear contract
Temas
communication
|education
|work
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- The instructions for assembling the chair are unclear and need to be rewritten.
- His email was so unclear that no one knew what he wanted us to do.
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- The teacher’s answer was unclear to me.
- This map is unclear, so I cannot find the bus stop.
- 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.
adjective
B2
property
2
not known or not certain
Not known or not sure, especially about what is true or what will happen.
Padrão de uso:
it is unclear whether [clause]
Erro comum:
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..."*.
Sinónimos
uncertain (Focuses on not being sure about a result or situation.)
|
unknown (Stronger; suggests that nobody knows the information.)
Antónimos
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.)
Colocações
it is unclear whether
|remain unclear
|still unclear
|unclear how
|unclear if
|for reasons that are unclear
Temas
knowledge
|news
|work
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- It is still unclear whether the company will survive the crisis.
- For reasons that remain unclear, the decision was delayed again.
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- It is unclear whether he will come to the party.
- The future of the project is unclear.
- 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.
adjective
B2
property
3
not sharp or easy to see
Not easy to see because it is not sharp or is out of focus.
Padrão de uso:
[something] looks unclear
Erro comum:
Learners often use only *"blurry"* or *"not clear"* for photos and screens. *"Unclear"* is also natural, especially in more formal or written contexts.
Sinónimos
blurry (Very common for photos or images that are not in focus.)
|
fuzzy (Informal; suggests soft edges or poor focus.)
Antónimos
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.)
Colocações
unclear image
|unclear photo
|unclear picture
|unclear text
|unclear screen
Temas
perception
|technology
|body
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- The image on the projector is unclear, so we can’t read the numbers.
- The photo is too unclear to use in the report.
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- The picture is unclear because the camera moved.
- The words on the board are unclear from the back of the room.
- 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.
adjective
B2
property
4
not easy to hear clearly
Not easy to hear or understand because the sound is not strong or is mixed with other sounds.
Padrão de uso:
[sound] is unclear
Erro comum:
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.
Sinónimos
muffled (Suggests the sound is soft and blocked, like through a wall or cloth.)
|
indistinct (More formal; emphasizes that individual sounds cannot be separated.)
Antónimos
audible (Opposite in that something can be heard clearly enough.)
|
crisp (For sound, suggests it is very clear and sharp.)
Colocações
unclear sound
|unclear audio
|unclear recording
|unclear voice
|unclear call
Temas
perception
|technology
|communication
|body
Exemplos
- The sound on the video is unclear, so it’s hard to catch what she says.
- His voice was unclear on the phone because the signal was weak.
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- The teacher’s voice was unclear because of the noise outside.
- The call was unclear, so I asked him to repeat his name.
- 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.
adjective
B2
property
5
confused or not well thought out
Having ideas or plans that are not clear in your mind or not well planned.
Padrão de uso:
[someone] is unclear about [something]
Erro comum:
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.
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
clear-headed (Emphasizes the ability to think in a calm and logical way.)
|
focused (Stresses strong, directed attention and organized thinking.)
Colocações
unclear thinking
|unclear ideas
|unclear about the details
|mentally unclear
|unclear goals
Temas
emotions
|psychology
|work
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Exemplos
- After the accident, his thinking was unclear and he couldn’t remember simple things.
- I’m still unclear about my long-term goals.
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- I am unclear about the next step.
- He was tired and his thinking was unclear.
- 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.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
unclear
IPA
GB/ʌŋklˈɪɹ/
US/ʌŋklˈɪɹ/
Sílabas e acento
un - clear (2 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (clear)
Formas da palavra
Adjective
- Base: unclear
Família de palavras
Expressões
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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.