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TOEFL IELTS BNC: 6442 COCA: 7071

ambiguous

adjective

am·​big·​u·​ous am-ˈbi-gyə-wəs How to pronounce ambiguous (audio)
1
a
: doubtful or uncertain especially from obscurity or indistinctness
eyes of an ambiguous color
b
: inexplicable
2
: capable of being understood in two or more possible senses or ways
an ambiguous smile
an ambiguous term
a deliberately ambiguous reply
ambiguously adverb
ambiguousness noun

Synonyms

Choose the Right Synonym for ambiguous

obscure, dark, vague, enigmatic, cryptic, ambiguous, equivocal mean not clearly understandable.

obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge.

obscure poems

dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion.

muttered dark hints of revenge

vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration.

a vague sense of obligation

enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality.

enigmatic occult writings

cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning.

cryptic hints of hidden treasure

ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation.

an ambiguous directive

equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading.

moral precepts with equivocal phrasing

Example Sentences

Greater familiarity with this artist makes one's assessment of him more tentative rather than less. His best pictures exude a hypersensitive, ambiguous aura of grace. Peter Schjeldahl, New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2003 He seeks sources for the speech's ideas in Lincoln's ambiguous stance toward organized religion, in the sermons of preachers he listened to, and in his Bible-reading habit. Gilbert Taylor, Booklist, 15 Dec. 2001 In Mexico we follow the fraught, ambiguous journey of a Tijuana cop … caught between the ruthless, corrupt general … he works for and the DEA, which wants him to inform on his countrymen. David Ansen, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2001 Physicians could manipulate reimbursement rules to help their patients obtain coverage for care that the physicians perceive to be necessary, for example, through ambiguous documentation or by exaggerating the severity of patients' conditions. Michael K. Wynia et al., Journal of the American Medical Association, 12 Apr. 2000 We were confused by the ambiguous wording of the message. He looked at her with an ambiguous smile. Due to the ambiguous nature of the question, it was difficult to choose the right answer. the ambiguous position of women in modern society See More
Recent Examples on the Web The yellow pine was more ambiguous, dating to 1810 in the southeastern United States. Brian Amaral, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2022 But current facts are more ambiguous than the historical record. William A. Galston, WSJ, 16 Aug. 2022 But Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey gave a more ambiguous response when asked how the lack of a SALT deduction change would affect his vote. Grace Segers, The New Republic, 28 July 2022 Moving forward, the world of work will be more flexible, more ambiguous, and a lot more complicated too. William Arruda, Forbes, 19 July 2022 While Max’s fate was left more ambiguous, there’s nothing left up in the air about Eddie’s fate. Zack Sharf, Variety, 11 July 2022 At other times, the singer’s positions seemed more ambiguous. Washington Post, 22 Apr. 2022 The ending of the film is far more ambiguous than the novel’s conclusion. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2022 That same day, Ally texted him a photo of two more ambiguous home pregnancy tests. CBS News, 5 Mar. 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

Latin ambiguus "unresolved, hesitating in mind, of uncertain outcome, having more than one possible meaning, untrustworthy" (from ambigō, ambigere "to dispute, be undecided, call in question, be in doubt" —from amb- "around, about, on both sides" + agere "to drive [cattle], be in motion, do perform"— + -uus, deverbal adjective suffix) + -ous — more at ambient entry 1, agent

First Known Use

1528, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ambiguous was in 1528

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