A simple ambiguous definition is this: something is ambiguous when it can be understood in more than one way, and you cannot be sure which meaning is intended. A text that says "Meet me at the bank" is ambiguous if you live near both a river and a branch of your bank.
The noun is ambiguity, the quality of having more than one possible meaning. Ambiguity causes misunderstandings in emails, contracts and road signs, but writers and poets also use it on purpose to make readers think.
Entry at a glance
Meaning
Having two or more possible meanings; unclear in intentPart of speech
AdjectivePronunciation
am-BIG-yoo-uhsWord forms
Ambiguity (noun), ambiguities (plural), ambiguously (adverb)Origin
Latin ambiguus (doubtful, shifting), from ambigere (to waver, to dispute)Opposite
Clear, unambiguous, explicit, definiteRegister
Neutral; common at work, in law and in literature
What does ambiguous mean?
Ambiguous describes words, situations, signals or behavior that could reasonably mean different things. The key is that the possible meanings are clear on their own; you just cannot tell which one applies.
- An ambiguous sentence: "We need more experienced nurses." More nurses who are experienced, or nurses with more experience?
- An ambiguous result: a test that is neither clearly positive nor clearly negative.
- An ambiguous reply: a manager says "we will see" when you ask for leave.
Ambiguity meaning and its main types
Ambiguity is the noun for this double or multiple meaning. Linguists sort it into a few kinds:
| Type | Cause | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lexical | One word has two meanings | "The pitcher was full." A jug, or a baseball player who ate a lot? |
| Structural | The grammar can be read two ways | "Old men and women got seats first." Were the women old too? |
| Referential | Unclear who or what a pronoun points to | "Asha told Neha she had won." Who won? |
| Situational | Actions or events open to interpretation | A friend leaves your message on read for a day |
Most ambiguity is cleared up by context. Problems start when the context does not help.
Ambiguous definition in example sentences
- The instructions were so ambiguous that half the class submitted the wrong assignment.
- Her smile was ambiguous; I could not tell if she was pleased or just polite.
- The contract's wording on refunds is ambiguous, so the lawyer asked for a rewrite.
- The novel ends on an ambiguous note, leaving readers to decide what happened.
- To avoid ambiguity, write dates as 4 March rather than 4/3.
Ambiguous, vague and ambivalent compared
These three words are often mixed up.
- Ambiguous: several clear meanings are possible. "The sign says no parking fine." Is parking fine, or is there no fine?
- Vague: no clear meaning at all; details are missing. "We will fix it sometime soon."
- Ambivalent: describes a person's mixed feelings, not words. "I feel ambivalent about moving cities."
So a sentence can be ambiguous, a plan can be vague, and a person can be ambivalent. If your problem is the details, ask for specifics; if it is two readings, ask which one was meant.
Where ambiguity matters
In law, unclear wording in contracts and statutes can lead to disputes; courts in many countries have rules for reading ambiguous terms, often against the party who drafted them. In workplaces, ambiguous roles or deadlines lead to missed tasks. In science and medicine, an ambiguous result usually means a test should be repeated. In literature, ambiguity is a tool: poets choose words that carry two meanings so a line rewards rereading, much like irony or nuance.
Origin and spelling
English borrowed ambiguous in the sixteenth century from Latin ambiguus, meaning doubtful or shifting. It comes from ambigere, to waver or argue, built from ambi-, around or on both sides, and agere, to drive or lead. The idea is of a meaning pulled in two directions.
The spelling trips people up: am-big-u-ous, with u before and after the o sound. The noun drops the -ous and adds -ity: ambiguity. More useful adjectives are gathered in our everyday vocabulary collection.
Frequently asked questions
What does ambiguity mean?
Ambiguity means having more than one possible meaning, so the intended one is unclear. A sentence, a gesture or a rule can all have ambiguity.
How do you define ambiguity in English grammar?
The definition of ambiguity in grammar is a word or sentence that allows two or more readings. The meaning of ambiguity is the same in English writing generally: the reader cannot be certain which sense the writer intended. A good definition of ambiguous follows from it: having that quality.
Is ambiguous a negative word?
Often, because in instructions and contracts it causes confusion. In art and fiction it can be positive, when an open ending or a double meaning is deliberate.
How do you pronounce ambiguous?
Say am-BIG-yoo-uhs, with the stress on BIG. The ending sounds like you-us said quickly.
What is the opposite of ambiguous?
Unambiguous is the direct opposite. Clear, explicit, definite and precise also work, depending on the sentence.
What is the difference between ambiguous and ambivalent?
Ambiguous describes something with more than one meaning. Ambivalent describes a person who has mixed or conflicting feelings about something.
Can you define ambiguous with a quick example?
"Rohan called the plumber with the broken phone" is ambiguous. Either Rohan used a broken phone to call, or the plumber is the one whose phone is broken.