unclear
UK: ʌnˈklɪə | US: ʌnˈklɪr
adj. not easy to see, hear, or understand; ambiguous or vague
adj. lacking clarity or precision
The word "unclear" combines the Old English prefix "un-" (meaning "not") with the adjective "clear," derived from Latin "clarus" (bright, evident). "Clear" entered English via Old French "cler," retaining its core sense of transparency or intelligibility. The negation "un-" flips the meaning to denote obscurity or ambiguity. This straightforward morphological pairing reflects a common pattern in English for creating opposites (e.g., "unhappy," "unfair").
The instructions were unclear, leaving the team confused.
Her handwriting is often unclear, making it hard to read.
The politician gave an unclear answer to avoid controversy.
The photo was blurry and unclear.
The terms of the contract remain unclear to both parties.