ambiguity
am-bih-GYOO-ih-tee
Ambiguity (noun) means the quality of having more than one possible meaning or interpretation. Example: “The contract's wording left room for ambiguity about who was liable.”
noun
1
The quality of having more than one possible meaning or interpretation.
"The contract's wording left room for ambiguity about who was liable."
2
A specific word, phrase, or statement that can be understood in more than one way.
"The judge asked the lawyers to resolve the ambiguity in the clause before ruling."
How to use ambiguity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUnclearness caused by a word or statement being open to more than one meaning.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
leave room for ambiguity
resolve the ambiguity
moral ambiguity
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Word forms
- Plural
- ambiguities
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The contract's wording left room for _____ about who was liable.
Etymology
From Old French ambiguite, from Latin ambiguitas, from ambiguus — see "ambiguous".
Synonyms
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equivocalness
weasel word
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for ambiguity
See all rhymes for ambiguity →Frequently asked questions
What does “ambiguity” mean?
The word “ambiguity” means the quality of having more than one possible meaning or interpretation. In plain terms, unclearness caused by a word or statement being open to more than one meaning.
How do you pronounce “ambiguity”?
“Ambiguity” is pronounced am-bih-GYOO-ih-tee (/æm.bɪˈɡju.ɪ.ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “ambiguity” in a sentence?
Here is “ambiguity” used in a sentence: “The contract's wording left room for ambiguity about who was liable.”
What is another word for “ambiguity”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ambiguity” include weasel word.
What is the opposite of “ambiguity”?
The opposite of “ambiguity” — its antonyms — is unambiguity.
What part of speech is “ambiguity”?
“Ambiguity” is a noun.
Where does the word “ambiguity” come from?
The word “ambiguity” comes from Latin. From Old French ambiguite, from Latin ambiguitas, from ambiguus — see "ambiguous".
Is “ambiguity” a common word?
“Ambiguity” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
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