ambiguous
am-BIHG-yoo-uhs
Ambiguous (adj) means Open to more than one interpretation; unclear in meaning. Example: “His answer was deliberately ambiguous so he wouldn't have to commit either way.”
adj
1
Open to more than one interpretation; unclear in meaning.
"His answer was deliberately ambiguous so he wouldn't have to commit either way."
"The instructions were so ambiguous that half the team misunderstood them."
"The ending of the film is ambiguous, so viewers argue about what really happened."
How to use ambiguous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAble to be understood in more than one way, so the true meaning isn't clear.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "ambivalent" — ambiguous describes unclear wording or meaning; ambivalent describes someone's mixed feelings.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
morally ambiguous
deliberately ambiguous
ambiguous statement
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more ambiguous
- Superlative
- most ambiguous
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His answer was deliberately _____ so he wouldn't have to commit either way.
Etymology
From Latin ambiguus, "moving both ways, uncertain", from ambigere, "to wander about, be uncertain".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for ambiguous
See all rhymes for 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.
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