ambiguous

[am-big-yoo-uhs]

adjective

1. open to or having several possible meanings or interpretations; equivocal.

   an ambiguous answer.

   Antonyms: explicit

2. Linguistics.,  (of an expression) exhibiting constructional homonymity; having two or more structural descriptions, as the sequence Flying planes can be dangerous.

3. of doubtful or uncertain nature; difficult to comprehend, distinguish, or classify.

   a rock of ambiguous character.

   Synonyms: anomalous, problematic, indeterminate, vague, dubious
   Antonyms: certain

4. lacking clearness or definiteness; obscure; indistinct: an ambiguous future.

   an ambiguous shape;

   an ambiguous future.

   Synonyms: enigmatic, puzzling
   Antonyms: unambiguous, precise, clear

ambiguous

/ æmˈbɪɡjʊəs /

adjective

1. having more than one possible interpretation or meaning

2. difficult to understand or classify; obscure

Other Word Forms

• ambiguously adverb
• ambiguousness noun
• unambiguous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ambiguous¹

First recorded in 1480–1500; from Latin ambiguus, equivalent to ambig(ere) “to dispute, contend; be undecided, doubt” (from ambi- prefix meaning “both, around” + -igere combining form of agere “to drive, lead, act”) + -uus adjective suffix; ambi-; -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of ambiguous¹

C16: from Latin ambiguus going here and there, uncertain, from ambigere to go around, from _ambi- + agere to lead, act

Synonym Study

ambiguous, equivocal, cryptic, enigmatic describe conditions or statements not clear in meaning. ambiguous can refer to a statement, act, or attitude that is capable of two or more often contradictory interpretations, usually accidentally or unintentionally so: an ambiguous passage in the preamble. equivocal, usually applied to spoken as well as written language, also means susceptible of two or more interpretations, and it usually suggests a deliberate intent to mislead by avoiding clarity: saving face with an equivocal response to an embarrassing question. cryptic usually refers to intentional obscurity, especially in language, and often implies a private or hidden meaning but stresses resultant mystification or puzzlement: a cryptic remark that left us struggling to interpret his intention. enigmatic focuses on perplexity resulting from a mysterious or imponderable event or utterance, often one of great importance or deep significance: prophetic texts so enigmatic that their meaning has been disputed for centuries.

Example Sentences

The third bloc was the Sunni Islamist alliance, which has a complex and ambiguous relationship with American power.

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“But this is what we are! An ambiguous mix of cultures. It has its own crazy beauty.”

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But the Treasury Department’s announcement was ambiguous, saying merely that those who deal with Rosneft and Lukoil “may risk exposure to sanctions” in certain cases.

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Archaeological discoveries from this period, Mr. Blair writes, provide “an abundance of ambiguous evidence” that suggests widespread precautions against the dead coming back.

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In due course, audiences will learn the truth about Rashad, leading to a final, ambiguous scene that’s as disturbing as the sound of a car striking a dog.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cryptic 
• dubious 
• enigmatic 
• equivocal 
• inconclusive 
• obscure 
• opaque 
• puzzling 
• questionable 
• uncertain 
• unclear 
• vague