ambiguity

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "ambiguity" is correct and usable in written English.
It is the state of being unclear or having multiple meanings, so it would often be used in a context where there is a lack of clarity or confusion. Example sentence: The ambiguity of the instructions made it difficult to understand exactly what we were supposed to do.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Politics

Linguistics

Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But there's always been a grey area about what's entirely devolved, with enough ambiguity for the party to cast popular votes, which also fitted with its instincts, against student fees and foundation hospitals south of the border.

The Guardian - Opinion

In December, he refused to license a new grammar school in Kent while – with characteristic ambiguity – suggesting this refusal was merely a technicality.

The Guardian

Yet fiction loses its special power if it seeks to instruct or clarify, rather than losing itself in ambiguity or what the philosopher Richard Rorty called contingency and irony.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Consequently, we unanimously believe that our loyalty to the Belgiorno-Nettis family – and the hundreds of thousands of people who benefit from the Biennale – must override claims over which there is ambiguity".

The Guardian - Arts

If he did, I'm sure that he wouldn't be championing this linguistic nuance and ambiguity.

The Guardian

As far back as February 2007 – barely a year into JIEDDO's existence – the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency warned that JIEDDO should be properly reclassified as an intelligence enterprise to remove dangerous ambiguity about the organization's true activities.

The Guardian

Why should we make do with this linguistic ambiguity and persist with a grammatical anomaly?

The Guardian

Let me assure you that nuance and ambiguity, where the school run is concerned, can only end with you crying into a bottle of gin by 10am.

The Guardian

There is no ambiguity about his stature as a manager.

The Guardian - Sport

The attitude echoes what Miller articulated about Kyle in her Salon piece: "his steadfast imperviousness to any nuance, subtlety or ambiguity, and his lack of imagination and curiosity, seem particularly notable".

The Guardian - Opinion

But ultimately, he prefers this ambiguity, encouraging each viewer to see his or her own experience and meaning in his work.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clear communication, minimize "ambiguity" by providing sufficient context and specific details.

Common error

Avoid using "ambiguity" unintentionally. Review your writing to ensure your intended meaning is clear and cannot be misinterpreted.

Linguistic Context

The word "ambiguity" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the quality of being open to more than one interpretation. It is used to describe situations, statements, or pieces of information that lack clear or precise meaning. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability in a wide range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ambiguity" functions as a noun to describe the quality of being open to multiple interpretations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its usage is very common across diverse contexts, especially in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific discussions. When writing, be mindful of unintentional "ambiguity" and strive for clarity when precision is needed. If you are seeking related terms, consider "lack of clarity", "open to interpretation", or "uncertainty".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unclear meaning

Directly states that the meaning is not easily discernible.

lack of clarity

Focuses on the absence of clear and easily understandable meaning.

open to interpretation

Highlights the possibility of multiple valid understandings.

uncertainty

Emphasizes the state of being unsure or indefinite.

equivocation

Refers to the use of ambiguous language to conceal the truth or avoid commitment.

vagueness

Indicates a lack of precision or detail.

double meaning

Specifically points to a phrase or statement with two possible interpretations.

interpretive flexibility

Suggests the possibility of varying interpretations or construals.

indefiniteness

Implies a state of not being clearly defined or determined.

obscurity

Indicates something that is not easily understood due to a lack of clarity.

FAQs

How to use "ambiguity" in a sentence?

You can use "ambiguity" to describe situations where the meaning is unclear or open to multiple interpretations. For example: "The "ambiguity" of the contract led to disagreements."

What can I say instead of "ambiguity"?

You can use alternatives like "lack of clarity", "vagueness", or "uncertainty" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "ambiguity" or "ambiguousness"?

"Ambiguity" is generally preferred and more commonly used than "ambiguousness", though both refer to the state of being ambiguous.

What's the difference between "ambiguity" and "obscurity"?

"Ambiguity" implies multiple possible meanings, while "obscurity" suggests a lack of clarity making something difficult to understand.