ambiguity

[am-bi-gyoo-i-tee]

noun

plural

ambiguities 

1. doubtfulness or uncertainty of meaning or intention.

   to speak with ambiguity;

   an ambiguity of manner.

   Synonyms: deceptiveness, vagueness
   Antonyms: clarity, explicitness

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 Word Forms

• nonambiguity noun

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

But experts say emphasis on their handwriting is not about aesthetics or convenience but a medical prescription that leaves room for ambiguity or misinterpretation can have serious - even tragic - consequences.

From BBC

There is also enough ambiguity in the plan that either side can appear to accept it while using the course of further negotiations to sabotage it, blaming the other side for its failure.

From BBC

This paradox seems fitting for a season built on ambiguity.

From Salon

After The Hunt is likely to prompt similar discourse when it is released by Amazon later this year, and it could be seen as controversial for the ambiguity surrounding the student's testimony.

From BBC

Strategic ambiguity, she argues, is not weakness but autonomy.

From BBC

Related Words

• doubt 
• uncertainty 
• vagueness