Definitions for ambiguity
ˌæm bɪˈgyu ɪ tiam·bi·gu·i·ty

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. ambiguitynoun

   an expression whose meaning cannot be determined from its context

2. ambiguity, equivocalnessnoun

   unclearness by virtue of having more than one meaning

WiktionaryRate this definition:2.0 / 1 vote

1. ambiguitynoun

   Something liable to more than one interpretation, explanation or meaning, if that meaning etc cannot be determined from its context.

   His speech was made with such great ambiguity that neither supporter nor opponent could be certain of his true position.

2. ambiguitynoun

   The state of being ambiguous.

3. Etymology: From ambiguite, from ambiguite (French ambiguïté), from ambiguitas.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Ambiguitynoun

   Doubtfulness of meaning; uncertainty of signification; double meaning.

   Etymology: from ambiguous.

   With ambiguities they often entangle themselves, not marking what doth agree to the word of God in itself, and what in regard of outward accidents. Richard Hooker, b. v.

   We can clear these ambiguities,
   And know their spring, their head, their true descent. William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet.

   The words are of single signification, without any ambiguity; and therefore I shall not trouble you, by straining for an interpretation, where there is no difficulty; or distinction, where there is no difference. South.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Ambiguity

   Ambiguity is the type of meaning in which a phrase, statement or resolution is not explicitly defined, making several interpretations plausible. A common aspect of ambiguity is uncertainty. It is thus an attribute of any idea or statement whose intended meaning cannot be definitively resolved according to a rule or process with a finite number of steps. (The ambi- part of the term reflects an idea of "two", as in "two meanings".) The concept of ambiguity is generally contrasted with vagueness. In ambiguity, specific and distinct interpretations are permitted (although some may not be immediately obvious), whereas with information that is vague, it is difficult to form any interpretation at the desired level of specificity.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. ambiguity

   Ambiguity is a state or quality characterized by the presence of more than one interpretation, meaning, or understanding. It refers to confusion or uncertainty due to something being unclear or open to different interpretations. This could involve words, phrases, sentences, or any other information that is not explicitly defined, leading to potential misunderstanding or miscommunication.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Ambiguitynoun

   the quality or state of being ambiguous; doubtfulness or uncertainty, particularly as to the signification of language, arising from its admitting of more than one meaning; an equivocal word or expression

2. Etymology: [L. ambiguitas, fr. ambiguus: cf. F. ambiguit.]

FreebaseRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Ambiguity

   Ambiguity of information, in words, pictures, or other media, is the ability to express more than one interpretation. It is generally contrasted with vagueness, in that specific and distinct interpretations are permitted, whereas with information that is vague it is difficult to form any interpretation at the desired level of specificity. Context may play a role in resolving ambiguity. For example, the same piece of information may be ambiguous in one context and unambiguous in another.

Matched Categories

1. • Expression
   • Unclearness

British National Corpus

1. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'ambiguity' in Nouns Frequency: #2906

How to pronounce ambiguity?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say ambiguity in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of ambiguity in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of ambiguity in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of ambiguity in a Sentence

1. Lorien Carter:

   A lot of his identity was formed because of his racial ambiguity. ... Terrell felt (like) a misfit most of his life, terrell just wanted to be loved, honestly ... and as a result, made some poor decisions, and I think that's something we can all relate to.

2. Ali Rezaian:

   As this goes on it becomes more and more difficult for Jason, the ambiguity makes it worse.

3. Anna Dodson:

   There's still some ambiguity about what the guidelines mean in practice, but caution is taking hold.

4. Aaron David Miller:

   The real deal here is not desperation. It's imprecision and a rush to conclude an agreement that will essentially leave too much ambiguity, and not the creative kind.

5. John Wayne:

   Screw ambiguity. Perversion and corruption masquerade as ambiguity. I don't trust ambiguity.

Popularity rank by frequency of use