Definition

The quality of being open to more than one interpretation or having unclear meaning.

Example

The ambiguity in her statement made it difficult to understand her true feelings.

Conversation

I was reading that poem you recommended, but I found it full of ambiguity.

Yeah, that's the beauty of it; it makes you think differently.

I guess I appreciate the ambiguity, but it left me confused about the main theme.

That’s okay! Sometimes confusion can lead to deeper understanding.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Ambiguity → It is formed from "amb-" (from Latin "ambigere", meaning to be in two minds or to waver) and "-guity" (from Latin "-itas", a suffix forming nouns indicating a state or condition). The word describes a state of being open to more than one interpretation or having double meanings.

Memory Tip

Think of being 'in two minds' ('amb-') about something, which helps you remember that 'ambiguity' means a situation that can be understood in multiple ways.

Visually Confused Words