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gray area

[/ɡreɪ ˈɛriə/]
nounpl: gray areas
zona cinzenta
1. A situation or subject that is not clearly defined; an area of ambiguity where rules, ethics, or legality are unclear
The contract has some gray areas that need clarification before signing.
O contrato tem algumas zonas cinzentas que precisam ser esclarecidas antes de assinar.
2. A middle ground between two extremes; something that is neither clearly right nor clearly wrong
Whether this practice is acceptable is a gray area in the industry.
Se esta prática é aceitável é uma zona cinzenta na indústria.
Synonyms
ambiguityunclear situationmiddle groundfuzzy areauncertain territory
Antonyms
clear-cutdefiniteunambiguousblack and white

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
zona cinzenta
Most common usage in Brazil
São Paulo
área cinzenta
Alternative form, equally acceptable
Portugal
zona cinzenta
Standard usage in European Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

operate in a gray area
fall into a gray area
the gray area between right and wrong
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