disambiguate

[ dis-am-big-yoo-eyt ]
/ ˌdɪs æmˈbɪg yuˌeɪt /

verb (used with object), dis·am·big·u·at·ed, dis·am·big·u·at·ing.

to remove the ambiguity from; make unambiguous: In order to disambiguate the sentence “She lectured on the famous passenger ship,” you'll have to write either “lectured on board” or “lectured about.”

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of disambiguate

First recorded in 1960–65; dis-1 + ambigu(ous) + -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM disambiguate

dis·am·big·u·a·tion, noun

Words nearby disambiguate

disaggregation, disagree, disagreeable, disagreement, disallow, disambiguate, disannul, disappear, disappearance, disapplication, disappoint
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for disambiguation

disambiguate
/ (ˌdɪsæmˈbɪɡjʊˌeɪt) /

verb

(tr) to make (an ambiguous expression) unambiguous

Derived forms of disambiguate

disambiguation, 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