ambiguity

noun

am·bi·gu·i·ty | \ ˌam-bə-ˈgyü-ə-tē

plural ambiguities

Definition of ambiguity

1a : the quality or state of being ambiguous especially in meaning The ambiguity of the poem allows several interpretations.

b : a word or expression that can be understood in two or more possible ways : an ambiguous word or expression

2 : uncertainty

Synonyms & Antonyms Where Ambiguity Comes From More Example Sentences Learn More about ambiguity

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Where Ambiguity Comes From

It might not be immediately clear (unless you are fluent in Latin) how ambiguity ("uncertainty") and ambidextrous ("using both hands with equal ease") are connected, aside from the fact that they both begin with the same four letters. Ambiguity (and ambiguous) comes from the Latin ambiguus, which was formed by combining ambi- (meaning "both") and agere ("to drive"). Ambidextrous combines the same prefix with dexter (meaning "skillful; relating to or situated on the right"). So each of these words carries the meaning of "both" in its history; one with the sense of "both meanings" and the other with that of "both hands." Ambiguity may be used to refer either to something (such as a word) which has multiple meanings, or to a more general state of uncertainty.

Examples of ambiguity in a Sentence

A third factor amping your desire to speed things along: Despite the euphoria of those first kisses and dates, the initial stages of infatuation can be incredibly unsettling. "You aren't sure yet where you stand with your mate, so you're anxious to shake the ambiguity," explains Regan. — Molly Triffin et al., Cosmopolitan, January 2008 Above the level of molecular biology, the notion of "gene" has become increasingly complex. The chapter in which Ridley addresses the ambiguities of this slippery word is an expository tour de force. He considers seven possible meanings of gene as used in different contexts: a unit of heredity; an interchangeable part of evolution; a recipe for a metabolic product; … a development switch; a unit of selection; and a unit of instinct. — Raymond Tallis, Prospect, September 2003 The troubles in the Empire at the turn of the seventeenth century have often been laid at the door of the Peace of Augsburg. While it is true that the 1555 agreement papered over some unsolvable problems and contained ambiguities and loopholes, it had been conceived as a pragmatic compromise, and it did succeed in preserving the peace in Germany for one generation. — Alison D. Anderson, On the Verge of War, 1999 Her letters and diaries describe her own feelings of insecurity and worries about her possible fate if she could no longer work, and they also tell us a great deal about the ambiguity of her position within the society in which she lived, and her determination to defend and maintain her own status. — Joanna Martin, A Governess In the Age of Jane Austen, 1998 the ambiguities in his answers the ambiguity of the clairvoyant's messages from the deceased allowed the grieving relatives to interpret them however they wished

Recent Examples on the Web

And Harrison’s performance, at once slippery and surgically precise, compounds that ambiguity in ingenious fashion. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Review: Who is ‘Luce’? Kelvin Harrison Jr. gives a compelling answer in a twisty race drama," 15 Aug. 2019 The ambiguity allows geologists, as well as the lawyers in their country's state department, to interpret ridge data differently. — Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, "Nations Claim Large Overlapping Sections of Arctic Seafloor," 23 July 2019 The ruling is intended to remove any ambiguity over the legal status of charging stations. — USA TODAY, "Mural for missing women, ‘Jedi’ cremations, MRI party: News from around our 50 states," 18 June 2019 Modern stories frequently plunge us into lengthy interior monologues, exhaustively describe settings and people’s physical features, delight in the random, absurd, and orthogonal, and end with deliberate ambiguity. — Ferris Jabr, Harper's magazine, "The Story of Storytelling," 10 Mar. 2019 Below, Watts dives deep into why Spencer was so integral to her signing on to Luce, the complicated storytelling and ambiguity of the film, and more. — Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, "Naomi Watts reveals Octavia Spencer is the reason she joined Luce," 31 July 2019 At Compost Bin!, voluptuous body parts and gender ambiguity are celebrated, paraded around, gyrated, cheered. — Steven Thrasher, Teen Vogue, "Compost Bin! Burlesque Show Provides Space and Celebration for All Bodies," 18 July 2019 While debate surrounds whether the victorious US Women's National Team will attend the White House to meet President Donald Trump, Brazil's leader left no such ambiguity as his country won the Copa America on home soil. — James Masters, CNN, "Copa America: Jair Bolsonaro takes center stage as Brazil seals title," 8 July 2019 The video takes any of the song’s ambiguity and subtext and lights it up in dynamite. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, "The Paradox of Madonna’s Gun-Control Music Video," 3 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ambiguity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for ambiguity

ambiguity

noun

English Language Learners Definition of ambiguity

: something that does not have a single clear meaning : something that is ambiguous

See the full definition for ambiguity in the English Language Learners Dictionary

ambiguity

noun

am·bi·gu·i·ty | \ ˌam-bə-ˈgyü-ə-tē

plural ambiguities

Kids Definition of ambiguity

: something that can be understood in more than one way The message was filled with confusing ambiguities.

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ambiguity

Definition of ambiguity

Synonyms & Antonyms for ambiguity

Where Ambiguity Comes From

Examples of ambiguity in a Sentence

First Known Use of ambiguity

History and Etymology for ambiguity

English Language Learners Definition of ambiguity

Kids Definition of ambiguity

ambiguity

Definition of ambiguity

Synonyms & Antonyms for ambiguity

Where Ambiguity Comes From

Examples of ambiguity in a Sentence

First Known Use of ambiguity

History and Etymology for ambiguity

English Language Learners Definition of ambiguity

Kids Definition of ambiguity

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