English Explanatory Dictionary

ambiguous

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Open to multiple interpretations.
  2. Hesitant; uncertain; not taking sides.

Pronunciation

/æmˈbɪɡ.ju.əs/ [ɛəmˈbɪɡ.ju.əs] en-us-ambiguous.ogg /æmˈbɪɡ.jʉ.əs/ /ɛmˈbəɡ.jʉ.əs/

Word forms

ambiguous more ambiguous most ambiguous

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *h₂énts? Proto-Indo-European *h₂m̥bʰider. Proto-Italic *amβi Latin ambi- Proto-Indo-European *h₂eǵ- Proto-Indo-European *-eti Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti Proto-Italic *agō Latin agō Latin ambig(ō) Proto-Indo-European *-wós Proto-Italic *-wos Latin -uus Latin ambiguuslbor. English ambiguous From Latin ambiguus (“moving from side to side, of doubtful nature”), from ambigere (“to go about, wander, doubt”), from ambi- (“around, about, on both sides”) + agere (“to drive, move”).

Synonyms

equivocal unclear ambiguous fuzzy generic gray imperspicuous imprecise indeterminate indefinite indistinct murky nebulous turbid uncertain undefined undefinable vague woolly

Antonyms

unambiguous clear

Related words

ambages ambiguate ambiguation ambiguity disambiguation situs ambiguous contradictory mistakable confusing

Derived words

ambiguously ambiguousness inambiguous nonambiguous
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