ambiguity

[ am-bi-gyoo-i-tee ]

noun

, plural am·bi·gu·i·ties.

1. doubtfulness or uncertainty of meaning or intention:

   to speak with ambiguity;

   an ambiguity of manner.

   Synonyms: deceptiveness, vagueness

   Antonyms: explicitness, clarity

2. an unclear, indefinite, or equivocal word, expression, meaning, etc.:

   a contract free of ambiguities;

   the ambiguities of modern poetry.

   Synonyms: equivocation

ambiguity

/ ˌæmbɪˈɡjuːɪtɪ /

noun

1. the possibility of interpreting an expression in two or more distinct ways
2. an instance of this, as in the sentence they are cooking apples
3. vagueness or uncertainty of meaning

   there are several ambiguities in the situation

Other Words From

• nonam·bi·gui·ty noun plural nonambiguities

Word History and Origins

Origin of ambiguity¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English ambiguite, from Latin ambiguitās, equivalent to ambigu(us) ambiguous ( def ) + -itās -ity ( def )

Example Sentences

“If unaddressed, any ambiguity on the lawful use of military force, coupled with President-elect Trump’s demonstrated intent to utilize the military in such dangerous and unprecedented ways, may prove to be devastating,” the letter reads.

From Salon

The discrepancy between the two meanings generates ambiguity and this ambiguity can push a listener to interpret the lyrics of “Ironic” in a new way.

From Salon

We report on self-serving lies, which pollsters then proceed to use to produce a desired result with no ambiguity.

From Salon

Smerilli wanted to pack many concepts into this one theme but without spoiling “the sense of ambiguity that is in the script,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

The election “is this massive force that is causing uncertainty, that is presenting ambiguity — and that is something that is inherently stressful to the nervous system,” Simon-Thomas said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• doubt
• uncertainty
• vagueness