B2adverblanguageeducation
US/ʌnˈklɪr.li/
UK/ʌnˈklɪə.li/
in a way that is hard to see, hear or understand
In context
The teacher explained the rule unclearly, so many students got confused.
He speaks unclearly when he is tired or nervous.
The message was written unclearly, and we could not read the date.
Words that go with unclearly
verb + adverb
- speak unclearlyThe phone line was bad and she spoke unclearly.
- write unclearlyDoctors often write unclearly.
adverb + adjective
- unclearly definedThe goals of the project are unclearly defined.
- unclearly statedThe deadline was unclearly stated in the email.
- unclearly formulatedUnclearly formulated questions confuse people who fill in surveys.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
He explained unclear.Correct: He explained unclearly.