Word
equivocal
Phoneticsequiv·o·cal
US/ɪˈkwɪvəkəɫ/
UK/ɪkwˈɪvəkəl/
Definition
adj. not clear or having more than one possible meaning. You use this to describe something that is confusing because it could be understood in different ways.
adj. open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous or uncertain in nature. Often describes language or evidence that fails to lead to a single, definite conclusion.
Examples
“His answer was equivocal and left us feeling confused.”
“The results of the medical test were equivocal, so the doctor ordered a second round of screening to be sure.”
“The diplomat's equivocal response allowed both nations to claim a small victory, though it did little to resolve the underlying tension of the border dispute.”
Examples
simple
“His answer was equivocal and left us feeling confused.”
contextual
“The results of the medical test were equivocal, so the doctor ordered a second round of screening to be sure.”
complex
“The diplomat's equivocal response allowed both nations to claim a small victory, though it did little to resolve the underlying tension of the border dispute.”
Usage
Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be', 'remain', or 'seem'.
Pitfall
He was equivocal about to go
He was equivocal about going
When followed by a preposition, the gerund (-ing) form is required rather than the infinitive.
Real-World Examples
“The board in a 2-1 decision, opens new tab on Wednesday said the manager's equivocal comments about the ability of unionized workers to "borrow" shifts at other stores could not reasonably be interpreted as a threat to eliminate benefits in retaliation for joining a union, reversing an administrative law judge who had ruled against Starbucks.” “That’s a fact, not an opinion, yet Warsh was surprisingly equivocal when asked what 2% measure the Fed is specifically targeting.” “Chase was typically equivocal when asked whether Soprano had indeed died at the end of the series.” “In a decision on Tuesday, however, U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco said 13 studies cited by Becerra were "equivocal" as to whether diet soda causes weight gain, and that she must prove it does to prevail.” Etymology
From Late Latin aequivocus with the addition of -al, the Latin itself a compound of aequus ("equal") and vocō ("I call"). A later surface analysis redivided the word as equi- + vocal.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Rare
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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