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Where does the word "vague" come from? It comes from Latin vagus, passing through French before entering English (1540s).
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Where does the word "vague" come from? It comes from Latin vagus, passing through French before entering English (1540s).
Vague’s story begins in Latin: vagus meant “wandering.” The root of 'vagrant' and 'vagabond'. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as vague. From Latin 'vagus', wandering, the root of 'vagabond'. It reached English by 1540s as vague. 'vague' as absent-minded dates from the 1800s. Today, vague means unclear; uncertain.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient vagus "wandering", the root of 'vagrant' and 'vagabond'.
- Stage 2 · French · 1500s vague "vague", from Latin 'vagus', wandering, the root of 'vagabond'.
- Stage 3 · English · 1540s vague "uncertain", 'vague' as absent-minded dates from the 1800s.