Ambiguous

Adjective

Definition: Open to or having several possible meanings or interpretations; unclear or doubtful in meaning.

Synonyms: Uncertain, Vague, Unclear

Antonyms: Clear, Definite, Explicit

Examples:
  • The politician's statement was deliberately ambiguous to avoid taking a firm position.
  • The painting's meaning was ambiguous and left viewers with varied interpretations.
Mnemonics:
  • Think of 'ambiguous' as 'am-big-u-ous' - it can have a big number of meanings.

Etymology:

Origin:

Late 16th century from Latin 'ambiguus', from 'ambigere' meaning 'to fluctuate, waver', from 'ambi-' meaning 'both' + 'agere' meaning 'to drive'.

Historical Usage:

The word has been used in English since the late 16th century with the same meaning related to uncertainty or multiple interpretations.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Ambiguous loss"

Explanation:

The psychological term refers to the experience of grief or other distressing emotions when a loved one is physically absent yet psychologically present, such as in cases of disappearance or unresolved situations.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Ambiguous means the same as ambiguous.

Explanation:

This is a common mistake where the word is incorrectly used as a synonym for unambiguous or clear, when it actually means the opposite. Ambiguous refers to being open to multiple interpretations or unclear in meaning.

Share: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn