Meaning & Definition of Ambiguity in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: The quality of being ambiguous; uncertainty or inexactness.

  Example Sentence: The ambiguity of the law led to different interpretations by the courts.

• Definition: A situation in which something can be understood in more than one way.

  Example Sentence: The ambiguity in her response left him confused about her true feelings.

• Definition: An ambiguous expression or statement.

  Example Sentence: The poem's ambiguity allowed readers to derive their own meanings.

Etymology

Origin: From Middle French ambiguïté, from Latin ambiguitatem, from ambiguus.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• built-in ambiguity: An inherent quality that allows for multiple interpretations.
• ambiguity of meaning: The unclear or uncertain meaning of a word or statement.
• embrace ambiguity: To accept the uncertainty in a situation.

Translations

• Spanish: ambigüedad

• French: ambiguïté

• German: Ambiguität

• Russian: двусмысленность

Related Words

• ambiguous: Open to more than one interpretation; not having one obvious meaning.

• vague: Not clearly expressed or defined.

• equivocal: Open to more than one interpretation and often intended to mislead.

Slang Meanings of ambiguity

• Meaning: It's all up in the air

  Example Sentence: The plans for the project are all up in the air.

• Meaning: Reading between the lines

  Example Sentence: There's some ambiguity there; you have to read between the lines.