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
- 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.
- Think of 'ambiguous' as 'am-big-u-ous' - it can have a big number of meanings.
Etymology:
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:
"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:
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.