equivocal
allowing the possibility of several different meanings, as a word or phrase, especially with intent to deceive or misguide; susceptible of double interpretation; deliberately ambiguous: an equivocal answer.
of doubtful nature or character; questionable; dubious; suspicious: the equivocal loyalty of many employees during the labor strike.
of uncertain significance; not determined: an equivocal attitude.
Origin of equivocal
1synonym study For equivocal
pronunciation note For equivocal
However, if you split equivocal in half, as equi- + -vocal, the relation of its spelling to its origin and meanings becomes more clear. Think “equal voices,” two or more voices in conflict over a meaning, attitude, statement, etc., resulting in ambiguity, indecision, or deception. Recombine equi- + -vocal, put the main stress on the second syllable, and you have it: [ih-kwiv-uh-kuhl]. /ɪˈkwɪv ə kəl/.
The form with the extra syllable is not found in educated writing, nor are any of its matching derivatives, like equivocably, unequivocable, and unequivocably. These are not considered standard variants and are best avoided in writing and speech.
Other words from equivocal
- e·quiv·o·cal·i·ty, e·quiv·o·ca·cy [ih-kwiv-uh-kuh-see], /ɪˈkwɪv ə kə si/, noun
- e·quiv·o·cal·ly, adverb
- e·quiv·o·cal·ness, noun
- non·e·quiv·o·cal, adjective
- non·e·quiv·o·cal·ly, adverb
Words that may be confused with equivocal
- equivalent, equivocal
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use equivocal in a sentence
So they remain equivocal; and, as the world goes, their equivocality is one of their great conveniences.
Essays in Radical Empiricism | William James
British Dictionary definitions for equivocal
/ (ɪˈkwɪvəkəl) /
capable of varying interpretations; ambiguous
deliberately misleading or vague; evasive
of doubtful character or sincerity; dubious
Origin of equivocal
1Derived forms of equivocal
- equivocally, adverb
- equivocality or equivocalness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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