Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
ambiance
ambidexterity
ambidextrous
ambience
ambient
ambient dub
ambient music
ambiguity
ambiguous
ambiguous genitalia
ambimoustrous
ambisexual
ambisonics
ambit
ambit claim
ambition
ambitious
Click to move down the list of words
Print Preview
See pronunciation key
Search for "ambiguous" in all of MSN Encarta
E-mail this entry
Blog about this entry on MSN Spaces
Download the MSN Encarta Right-Click Dictionary

ambiguous

am·big·u·ous [ am bíggyoo əss ]


adjective 
Definition:
 
1. having more than one meaning: having more than one possible meaning or interpretation
an ambiguous response

2. causing uncertainty: causing uncertainty or confusion
an ambiguous result

[Early 16th century. < Latin ambiguus "undecided" < ambigere "wander around" < agere "to lead"]

am·big·u·ous·ly adverb
am·big·u·ous·ness noun

Word Usage
ambiguous or ambivalent?

Both words describe uncertainty in understanding what is meant. The principal difference is that ambivalent is used of people and their attitudes, whereas ambiguous refers to information or context. If people are ambivalent about disarmament, they are unsure about the advantages and disadvantages and cannot easily decide between the various arguments, whereas if a political leader makes an ambiguous statement about disarmament, then the statement has more than one possible interpretation.

Advertisement

Also on Encarta
Englishtown: Learn English online
Our Partners
Also on MSN
Encarta Message Boards (© Rubberball/Jupiterimages)
Shopping
© 2009 Microsoft