ambiguo

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ambiguous, equivocal, uncertain, inconclusive
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/amˈbiɡwo/
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Open to more than one reading or lacking a clear outcome.
Practice using ambiguo in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • El final de la película es deliberadamente ambiguo.
    The film’s ending is deliberately ambiguous.
  • Su actitud ambigua dejó abiertas dos interpretaciones.
    His ambiguous attitude allowed two interpretations.
  • La prueba arrojó un resultado ambiguo.
    The test produced an inconclusive result.
  • La señal era ambigua desde lejos.
    The signal was unclear from a distance.
  • El futuro del acuerdo parece ambiguo.
    The future of the agreement seems uncertain.

Similar words

indeterminado
equívoco
incierto
dudoso
confuso
impreciso

Meanings

Open to interpretation

adjective
communication
neutral
Capable of being understood in different ways, often leaving a speaker’s intention unclear.

Examples

  • La respuesta fue ambigua y nadie supo qué quería decir.
    The answer was ambiguous, and no one knew what she meant.
  • El contrato contiene una cláusula ambigua.
    The contract contains an ambiguous clause.
  • Su actitud ambigua dejó abiertas dos interpretaciones.
    His ambiguous attitude allowed two interpretations.
  • Eligió palabras ambiguas para evitar comprometerse.
    She chose ambiguous words to avoid committing herself.
  • El final de la película es deliberadamente ambiguo.
    The film’s ending is deliberately ambiguous.

Similar words

equívoco
confuso
impreciso

Uncertain

adjective
uncertainty
neutral
Not giving a definite answer or conclusion.

Examples

  • El resultado sigue siendo ambiguo.
    The result remains uncertain.
  • Los datos son ambiguos y no permiten sacar conclusiones.
    The data are inconclusive and do not support a conclusion.
  • La señal era ambigua desde lejos.
    The signal was unclear from a distance.
  • El futuro del acuerdo parece ambiguo.
    The future of the agreement seems uncertain.
  • La prueba arrojó un resultado ambiguo.
    The test produced an inconclusive result.

Similar words

incierto
dudoso
indeterminado

Etymology

From Latin ambiguus, “uncertain” or “going both ways”.

FAQ

What does ambiguo mean?

It describes something open to more than one interpretation or not clearly settled.

Is ambiguo always deliberate?

No. Wording can be ambiguous by accident, though someone may also choose it.

Can a person be ambiguo?

Yes, when their words or actions leave their position unclear.

What is the feminine form?

Ambigua; the plural forms are ambiguos and ambiguas.

Does it also describe a test result?

Yes. An ambiguous result does not point to a definite conclusion.

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