ambiguous
/æmˈbɪɡ.ju.əs/When something is ambiguous, it can be understood in more than one way. You cannot be sure which meaning is correct because the language or situation is not clear enough.
- His answer was ambiguous, so nobody knew what he really meant.
- The contract had an ambiguous clause that led to a dispute.
- She gave an ambiguous response — neither a yes nor a clear no.
Adinary Nuance
Ambiguous, vague, and unclear are close neighbors, but they point to different problems. "Ambiguous" is precise: it means there are two or more competing, valid interpretations — a sentence that can be read two distinct ways. "Vague" means something lacks enough detail or specificity; the problem is fuzziness, not rival meanings. "Unclear" is the broadest term — it just means hard to understand, for any reason at all. In academic writing, "ambiguous" is the word to choose when you want to say there are multiple specific readings, not just that something feels fuzzy or poorly expressed.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- mơ hồ
- Spanish
- ambiguo
- Chinese
- 模棱两可
- Japanese
- 曖昧
- Korean
- 모호
Etymology
From Latin *ambiguus*, meaning "going both ways" or "doubtful," built from *ambi-* (both, around) and *agere* (to drive or lead). The word entered English in the early 16th century.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between 'ambiguous' and 'vague'?
- 'Ambiguous' means there are two or more specific competing meanings — you can read something two valid ways. 'Vague' means something lacks enough detail or precision; the problem is fuzziness, not multiple interpretations.
- Is 'ambiguous' a formal word?
- It leans toward academic and professional use, but it is common enough that it does not sound stiff in everyday conversation. You will see it often in essays, reports, and legal writing.
- How is 'ambiguous' different from 'equivocal'?
- 'Equivocal' is more formal and usually implies the ambiguity is deliberate — someone is being evasive or misleading. 'Ambiguous' is neutral; it does not suggest any intention to confuse.
- Can a person be described as 'ambiguous'?
- Yes. You can describe a person's motives, feelings, or role as ambiguous if they are hard to read or categorise clearly. For example: 'His role in the project was ambiguous from the start.'