Definition of AMBIGUITY

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.

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 on the Web

Analysts at Raymond James acknowledged that regulatory ambiguity in September. — Charley Grant, WSJ, "High-Flying Pet Insurer Faces New Risk," 31 Oct. 2018 Given that medicine is itself a narrative practice—in which the case history has always played a central part—it, too, might benefit from a respect for ambiguity. — Lidija Haas, The New Yorker, "Memoirs of Disease and Disbelief," 17 June 2014 And that actually created this awesome ambiguity with him. — Bryan Bishop, The Verge, "How Weta Digital created the steampunk world of Mortal Engines," 21 Dec. 2018 Most media outlets aren’t leaving much room for ambiguity in their efforts to tie the President to the evil committed by others. — James Freeman, WSJ, "Pittsburgh and the Press," 30 Oct. 2018 The reported ambiguity of the language has caused confusion among those who will be affected, and some have argued that preparing the new tax forms will open the door to other externalities. — Bradford Betz, Fox News, "Churches, nonprofits balk at elimination of tax break; some lawmakers seek repeal," 28 July 2018 Like it or not, the ongoing ambiguity casts suspicion and doubt on all things TB12. — Dan Shaughnessy, BostonGlobe.com, "Will we ever know what PED Julian Edelman took?," 6 July 2018 For Americans, ambiguity — even in entertainment — is still a relatively rare phenomenon. — Washington Post, "For Trump and Kim, maybe the spectacle is what truly counted," 12 June 2018 The ambiguity leaves claims to be decided on a case-by-case basis that can stretch out for months -- or even years, in cases such as Jasmine's. — CNN, "To be herself, she needs to change her body. But first, comes the battle with insurers," 31 May 2018

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.