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

---

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

---

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

The new policy erases all ambiguity around the question of whether bot-made text can exist on Wikipedia’s public pages to begin with.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

This ambiguity is, at least partly, by design.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

If and when the fighting stops, the U.A.E. won’t return to a posture of studied ambiguity toward Israel.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

In conflict zones, this ambiguity is particularly pronounced.

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026

There is ambiguity, and some symbolism, in the elaborate ritual observed by each returning expedition of astronauts from the moon.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

Related Words

• doubt
• uncertainty
• vagueness