ambiguity

American  

[am-bi-gyoo-i-tee] / ˌæm bɪˈgyu ɪ ti /

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

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ambiguity British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• nonambiguity noun

Etymology

Origin of ambiguity

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

Example Sentences

But it can never erase or control the psychological and spiritual ambiguity at the heart of modern existence.

From Salon

“I have communicated with manufacturers to the extent that any ambiguities or misunderstandings may have existed. I think they’ve been dissipated,” MacKinnon says.

From The Wall Street Journal

Here, BBC Sport looks at the club's evolution and why the January window has offered renewed belief at City that change and ambiguity over their manager's future won't derail their efforts to deliver success.

From BBC

As companies plunge into the new year, CEOs and their leadership teams face ambiguity on multiple fronts.

From Barron's

Mr. Newman’s framework is most persuasive when applied to creativity that solves identifiable problems rather than the kind that courts mystery or ambiguity.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• doubt
• uncertainty
• vagueness