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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.

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