ambiguity

noun am·bi·gu·i·ty \ ˌam-bə-ˈgyü-ə-tē \

Definition of ambiguity

plural ambiguities

1 a :the quality or state of being ambiguous especially in meaning

The ambiguity of the poem allows several interpretations.

b :a word or expression that can be understood in two or more possible ways :an ambiguous word or expression

2 :uncertainty

See ambiguity defined for English-language learners

See ambiguity defined for kids

Examples of ambiguity in a Sentence

A third factor amping your desire to speed things along: Despite the euphoria of those first kisses and dates, the initial stages of infatuation can be incredibly unsettling. "You aren't sure yet where you stand with your mate, so you're anxious to shake the ambiguity," explains Regan. —Molly Triffin et al., Cosmopolitan, January 2008
Above the level of molecular biology, the notion of "gene" has become increasingly complex. The chapter in which Ridley addresses the ambiguities of this slippery word is an expository tour de force. He considers seven possible meanings of gene as used in different contexts: a unit of heredity; an interchangeable part of evolution; a recipe for a metabolic product; … a development switch; a unit of selection; and a unit of instinct. —Raymond Tallis, Prospect, September 2003
The troubles in the Empire at the turn of the seventeenth century have often been laid at the door of the Peace of Augsburg. While it is true that the 1555 agreement papered over some unsolvable problems and contained ambiguities and loopholes, it had been conceived as a pragmatic compromise, and it did succeed in preserving the peace in Germany for one generation. —Alison D. Anderson, On the Verge of War, 1999
Her letters and diaries describe her own feelings of insecurity and worries about her possible fate if she could no longer work, and they also tell us a great deal about the ambiguity of her position within the society in which she lived, and her determination to defend and maintain her own status. —Joanna Martin, A Governess In the Age of Jane Austen, 1998
the ambiguities in his answers
the ambiguity of the clairvoyant's messages from the deceased allowed the grieving relatives to interpret them however they wished

Recent Examples of ambiguity from the Web

A state law passed in 1998 forbids local governments from removing, damaging or defacing war monuments, but there is legal ambiguity about whether that applies to statues such as the Lee monument, which was erected before the law was passed.

— Bloomberg.com, "White Nationalist Says He’ll Turn Himself In," 23 Aug. 2017
Tyler's direct comments about his sexuality express little ambiguity, but one remains wary of falling on the not-getting-it end of his jokes.

— david turner, GQ, "Another Strange, Cryptic Chapter in the Saga of Tyler, the Creator," 17 Aug. 2017
Police Chief Peter Newsham said the department in the past two years has taken steps to eliminate the ambiguity about when the internal affairs investigation begins so that authorities can meet arbitrators' interpretation of the 90-day deadline.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Hundreds of officers fired for misconduct returned to policing," 3 Aug. 2017
As explained in the fourth point above, the president was wrong to create ambiguity about the extent to which the military was consulted on the policy change.

— chicagotribune.com, "Here's how ban on transgender service members can serve as a teaching moment," 29 July 2017
This ambiguity of the collaboration, however, is precisely what maintains a thrilling mystique.

— sarah moroz, The Cut, "Maison Chloé Opens in Paris With a Show of Mischievous Fashion Photography," 7 July 2017
This ambiguity about dates led some people to believe other dates should be Independence Day.

— kat eschner, Smithsonian, "Suggested Alternative Dates for Independence Day," 4 July 2017
Rules specify what massage therapists can and must not do, with an emphasis on preventing any ambiguity in their relationships and behaviors.

— audrey dutton, idahostatesman, "Idaho massage pros get into trouble when boundaries aren’t clear," 1 July 2017
The Rockets are already built around James Harden, who despite his positional ambiguity carries the responsibilities of a point guard.

— nathaniel friedman, GQ, "How Does Chris Paul Fit in with the Houston Rockets?," 28 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ambiguity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Where ambiguity comes from

It might not be immediately clear (unless you are fluent in Latin) how ambiguity ("uncertainty") and ambidextrous ("using both hands with equal ease") are connected, aside from the fact that they both begin with the same four letters. Ambiguity (and ambiguous) comes from the Latin ambiguus, which was formed by combining ambi- (meaning "both") and agere ("to drive"). Ambidextrous combines the same prefix with dexter (meaning "skillful; relating to or situated on the right"). So each of these words carries the meaning of "both" in its history; one with the sense of "both meanings" and the other with that of "both hands." Ambiguity may be used to refer either to something (such as a word) which has multiple meanings, or to a more general state of uncertainty.