ambiguous

/æmˈbɪɡjuəs/
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Not clear enough to settle on one meaning or conclusion.

Examples

  • His role in the company remains ambiguous.
  • Their relationship is still ambiguous to outsiders.
  • Several readers interpreted the ambiguous ending differently.
  • Is the word ambiguous in this sentence?
  • The evidence leaves the cause of the fire ambiguous.

Similar words

equivocal
vague
indeterminate
uncertain
unclear
vague
open to interpretation
unclear

Meanings

More than one interpretation

adjective
communication
neutral
Able to be understood in more than one way.

Examples

  • The contract is ambiguous about who pays for repairs.
  • Her answer was deliberately ambiguous.
  • Is the word ambiguous in this sentence?
  • The judge asked the lawyer to clarify the ambiguous phrase.
  • Several readers interpreted the ambiguous ending differently.

Similar words

Unclear status or result

adjective
reasoning
neutral
Not clearly defined or settled, so it is hard to say exactly what is true or intended.

Examples

  • His role in the company remains ambiguous.
  • The evidence leaves the cause of the fire ambiguous.
  • Was the policy intentionally ambiguous about exceptions?
  • Their relationship is still ambiguous to outsiders.
  • The results were ambiguous, so the team ran another test.

Similar words

Etymology

From Latin ambiguus, “doubtful,” linked to ambigere, “to waver,” whose parts suggest movement in different directions.

FAQ

What does ambiguous mean?

It describes something that allows more than one interpretation or lacks a clear status.

Can a sentence be ambiguous?

Yes. Its wording may allow two or more different readings.

Can a role be ambiguous?

Yes. The duties or authority attached to it may not be clearly defined.

Is ambiguous the same as vague?

They overlap, but ambiguous often points to competing interpretations, while vague may simply lack detail.

What is the opposite of ambiguous?

Unambiguous is the direct opposite when a meaning is clear.

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