ambiguous
5 synonyms and 1 antonym for ambiguous, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Open to more than one interpretation; unclear in meaning.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
equivocal
open to interpretation
Antonyms
How to use ambiguous
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
morally ambiguous
deliberately ambiguous
ambiguous statement
Etymology
From Latin ambiguus, "moving both ways, uncertain", from ambigere, "to wander about, be uncertain".
Full origin of ambiguous →Frequently asked questions
What does “ambiguous” mean?
The word “ambiguous” means open to more than one interpretation; unclear in meaning. In plain terms, able to be understood in more than one way, so the true meaning isn't clear.
How do you pronounce “ambiguous”?
“Ambiguous” is pronounced am-BIHG-yoo-uhs (/æmˈbɪɡ.ju.əs/ in IPA).
How do you use “ambiguous” in a sentence?
Here is “ambiguous” used in a sentence: “His answer was deliberately ambiguous so he wouldn't have to commit either way.”
What part of speech is “ambiguous”?
“Ambiguous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “ambiguous” come from?
The word “ambiguous” comes from Latin. From Latin ambiguus, "moving both ways, uncertain", from ambigere, "to wander about, be uncertain".
Is “ambiguous” a common word?
“Ambiguous” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between "ambiguous" and "vague"?
"Ambiguous" means a statement has two or more distinct possible interpretations, while "vague" means it lacks precision or detail altogether. A sentence can be ambiguous yet quite specific in its wording — the problem is that it points to more than one clear meaning, not that it is fuzzy.
What is the difference between "ambiguous" and "ambivalent"?
These words are commonly confused but describe different things: "ambiguous" describes language or a situation that is open to more than one interpretation, while "ambivalent" describes a person's mixed or conflicting feelings. A contract clause can be ambiguous; a person deciding whether to take a job feels ambivalent.
Why is ambiguous wording a problem in contracts and law?
Because an ambiguous clause is open to more than one interpretation, each party may read it differently, leading to disputes that courts then have to resolve by inferring intent. This is why legal drafters aim for precise, unambiguous language wherever possible.
