Definitions for ambiguous
æmˈbɪg yu əsam·bigu·ous

Princeton's WordNet(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. equivocal, ambiguous(adj)

   open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead

   "an equivocal statement"; "the polling had a complex and equivocal (or ambiguous) message for potential female candidates"; "the officer's equivocal behavior increased the victim's uneasiness"; "popularity is an equivocal crown"; "an equivocal response to an embarrassing question"

2. ambiguous(adj)

   having more than one possible meaning

   "ambiguous words"; "frustrated by ambiguous instructions, the parents were unable to assemble the toy"

3. ambiguous(adj)

   having no intrinsic or objective meaning; not organized in conventional patterns

   "an ambiguous situation with no frame of reference"; "ambiguous inkblots"

Wiktionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. ambiguous(Adjective)

   Open to multiple interpretations.

   The politician was criticized for his ambiguous statements and lack of precision.

2. ambiguous(Adjective)

   Vague and unclear.

   He gave an ambiguous answer.

3. ambiguous(Adjective)

   Of persons: hesitant; uncertain; not taking sides.

   Thomas Salusbury (1662): And forasmuch as in this same question I am ambiguous, and Simplicius is resolute....

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Ambiguous(adj)

   doubtful or uncertain, particularly in respect to signification; capable of being understood in either of two or more possible senses; equivocal; as, an ambiguous course; an ambiguous expression

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Ambiguous

   am-big′ū-us, adj. of doubtful signification: indistinct: wavering or uncertain: equivocal.—n. Ambigū′ity, uncertainty or dubiousness of meaning—also Ambig′uousness.—adv. Ambig′uously. [L. ambiguus—ambigĕre, to go about—ambi, about, agĕre, to drive.]

How to pronounce ambiguous?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say ambiguous in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of ambiguous in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of ambiguous in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Examples of ambiguous in a Sentence

1. Trump Jr.:

   After pleasantries were exchanged, the woman stated that she had information that individuals connected to Russia were funding the Democratic National Committee and supporting Ms. Clinton, her statements were vague, ambiguous and made no sense. No details or supporting information was provided or even offered.

2. Lois Greenfield:

   And out of this improvisation comes a moment that can't be part of a dance, it becomes more of a personal moment, a moment about expressive gestures. And they're often, I call them, enigmatic or ambiguous moments.

3. Michael Pillsbury:

   There is no specific agreement for a phased rollback of the tariffs, the American side has been ambiguous when and which tariffs will be lifted. The Chinese have some wishful thinking and are trying to soothe their domestic hardliners that the tariffs will someday come off.

4. Erik Pevernagie:

   A doorway is an ambiguous phenomenon, a liminal spot in a person’s life. A door can be a choice, a possibility, a protection or an aperture to new-fangled values. It can mean a barrier, a prison or a gate to freedom. It can, however, vanish in the mist of unawareness by lack of social concern. At that moment, our freedom has become our jail and we feel locked up in our own liberty. Any exit has waned: the doorway has been absorbed in the stupor of our infatuation. ( “In the doorway” )

5. Steve Vladeck:

   Potential legal challenges will depend upon how the new regulations are actually worded, but based on what we have heard so far, challengers to the new rules will face an uphill battle because it sounds like the primary thing the President is doing is interpreting an ambiguous federal statute, the President is allowed to adopt reasonable interpretations of ambiguous federal statutes.

Images & Illustrations of ambiguous

Popularity rank by frequency of use