ambiguous

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'ambiguous' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has more than one meaning or can be interpreted in different ways. For example, "The results of the election were ambiguous."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The defence offered by one of the latest care employers to be named and shamed, East Midlands Crossroads – Caring for Carers, that the rules are "complex, in parts ambiguous and open to interpretation", does not sound good.

The Guardian

Often the only source of emergency cash is loan sharks, increasingly big business in Kenya, with borrowers signing ambiguous photocopied contracts and tying themselves into interest rates of 50% or more.

The Guardian

The clause is sufficiently ambiguous to leave doubts over how the stalemate will be resolved.

The Guardian - Sport

As a writer she had an ambiguous relationship with her illness.

The Guardian

All too often when a singer confronts matters of the darkest heart – or in this case, a broken heart – they dress their songs in ambiguous poetry, the better to distance themselves, perhaps, from any lingering pain, and also to keep the private private.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

David Cameron will today signal a sea-change in the government fight against home-grown terrorism, saying the state must confront, and not consort with, the non-violent Muslim groups that are ambiguous about British values such as equality between sexes, democracy and integration.

The Guardian

Best practice as an academic is to keep things ambiguous, up for debate, weighing all possibilities, consulting sources widely.

The Guardian

"It's a fairly common desire!" Homes discusses her writing process – "I think in imagery, I don't think in words at all" – and notes that she centres her work on such morally ambiguous questions because "moral dilemmas interest me a lot, but right and wrong is not something I can answer".

The Guardian - Books

Hadi recently received a warning from his guild to stop producing the latest garment used to skirt what are often ambiguous restrictions: the "open" (i.e. unrobed), buttonless manteau.

The Guardian

But Cameron had left the precise terms of the deal ambiguous, and someone close to No 10 began briefing that Westminster rather than Holyrood might run the referendum – allowing Salmond to accuse the government of bullying and causing 24 hours of chaos within the coalition.

The Guardian

Du Maurier steps outside this by setting her classic in Cornwall, always a land apart, and making the eponymous object of her crippled heroine's obsession the ambiguous and cynical Richard Grenville.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ambiguous", ensure the context provides enough information to guide the reader towards the intended interpretation, or acknowledge the potential for multiple readings.

Common error

Avoid using "ambiguous" language unintentionally. If clarity is crucial, revise the statement to be more precise and direct, removing any potential for misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The word "ambiguous" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they are open to multiple interpretations or lack clarity. Ludwig AI highlights that "ambiguous" language is present across a spectrum of sources, indicating broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ambiguous" is a versatile adjective used to describe something open to multiple interpretations or lacking clarity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, primarily in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. Related phrases include "unclear", "vague", and "equivocal", each with slightly different nuances. When using "ambiguous", be mindful of the potential for misinterpretation and provide sufficient context or clarify the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

open to interpretation

Directly addresses the susceptibility of something to multiple understandings, synonymous with "ambiguous".

unclear

Refers to a lack of clarity or precision, similar to "ambiguous" but more general.

subject to different understandings

Similar to "open to interpretation", emphasizing the variability in comprehension, related to "ambiguous".

vague

Implies a lack of specific detail or definition, akin to "ambiguous" in its lack of clarity.

lacking clarity

Highlights the absence of clear and easily understood details, leading to an "ambiguous" message.

equivocal

Suggests a deliberate use of language to conceal one's true intentions or opinions, a specific type of "ambiguous" communication.

indistinct

Focuses on the lack of clear boundaries or outlines, a form of "ambiguous" perception.

nebulous

Describes something hazy, ill-defined, or lacking shape, contributing to its "ambiguous" nature.

uncertain

Indicates a lack of sureness or confidence, leading to an "ambiguous" outcome or interpretation.

murky

Conveys a sense of obscurity or opaqueness, making something difficult to understand and thus "ambiguous".

FAQs

How to use "ambiguous" in a sentence?

You can use "ambiguous" to describe something that can be understood in more than one way. For example, "The politician's statement was intentionally "ambiguous"." You could also say something is "open to interpretation" or "unclear".

What can I say instead of "ambiguous"?

Alternatives to "ambiguous" include "vague", "equivocal", or "indistinct" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "ambiguous" and "vague"?

"Ambiguous" implies multiple possible interpretations, while "vague" suggests a lack of clarity or precision. Something "ambiguous" can be understood in several ways, but something "vague" lacks definite form or expression.

Which is correct, "ambiguous" or "unclear"?

Both "ambiguous" and "unclear" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Ambiguous" suggests that something has multiple possible meanings, while "unclear" simply means that something is not easy to understand.