Standard Lemma guide

nebulously

adv · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation, US: /ˈnɛb.jʊ.ləs.li/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

adv

Meaning 1

In a manner like that of a cloud or haze.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The vapour drifted nebulously into the hall.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

As if viewed through a cloud or haze.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adv

Meaning 3

Vaguely, without clear purpose or specific intention.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • He waved his hand nebulously in the direction he intended to go.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

adverb

Meaning 4

in a nebulous and indefinite manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English nebulous Middle English -ly English -ly English nebulously From nebulous + -ly.

Across languages

Translations

15 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Polish: mgliście — in a manner like that of a cloud or haze
  • Swedish: suddigt — in a manner like that of a cloud or haze
  • Swedish: oklart — in a manner like that of a cloud or haze
  • Swedish: nebulärt — in a manner like that of a cloud or haze
  • Finnish: utuisesti — as if viewed through a cloud or haze
  • German: neblig — as if viewed through a cloud or haze
  • Hungarian: homályosan — as if viewed through a cloud or haze
  • Hungarian: elmosódottan — as if viewed through a cloud or haze
  • Polish: mgliście — as if viewed through a cloud or haze
  • Swedish: suddigt — as if viewed through a cloud or haze
  • Finnish: epämääräisesti — vaguely
  • German: nebulös — vaguely
  • Hungarian: bizonytalanul — vaguely
  • Polish: mgliście — vaguely
  • Swedish: oklart — vaguely