Word
ambiguity
Phoneticsam·bi·gu·i·ty
US/ˌæmbɪɡˈjuəti/
UK/ˌæmbɪɡjˈuːɪti/
Definitions
01unclear meaning
n. the state of being unclear because there are several possible ways to understand something.
n. the quality of being open to more than one interpretation, often leading to uncertainty or confusion. Uncountable in this abstract sense.
“The ambiguity of the law makes it difficult for the police to do their jobs.”
“The inherent ambiguity of the contract's termination clause led to a protracted legal dispute between the two firms.”
Synonyms
02an unclear statement
n. a specific word, phrase, or action that has more than one possible meaning.
n. a specific instance or expression that allows for multiple interpretations. Countable in this sense.
“The writer's use of 'it' in that sentence is a confusing ambiguity.”
“The poem is famous for its deliberate ambiguities, which force the reader to consider several conflicting themes simultaneously.”
Academic
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Ambiguity, however painful, is exactly what the film’s director was aiming for.” “It has moral ambiguity baked into its core.” Etymology
From Middle English ambiguite, from Old French ambiguite (French ambiguïté), from Latin ambiguitas, equivalent to ambiguous + -ity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Collocations
Word family
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/ambiguity