Ambiguity definition Meaning and Definition
Ambiguity definition
Pronunciation
/æmˌbɪɡjˈuɪti/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A lack of clear or specific meaning in language, where a word, phrase, or expression can be interpreted in multiple ways, leading to confusion or uncertainty.
Examples
1. “The ambiguity in the instructions led to several different outcomes.”
2. “The lawyer tried to clarify the ambiguity in the contract, but it remained unclear.”
Synonyms
1. Uncertainty
2. Indeterminacy
Antonyms
1. Clarity
2. Specificity
Etimology
Ambiguity originates from the Latin words ‘ambi,’ meaning “on both sides,” and ‘guus’ or ‘guiga,’ meaning ‘uneasiness,’ ‘disquietness,’ or ‘doubt.’
Additional Information
Ambiguity in language is often considered a crucial aspect of language’s functionality and efficiency, allowing speakers to express subtle meaning and complexity in communication.
Nevertheless, ambiguity is often challenging to comprehend, and it is frequently leveraged in psychological manipulation and disinformation campaigns.
In linguistics, ambiguity is categorized primarily into lexical ambiguity and semantic ambiguity.
Lexical ambiguity occurs when a single word has multiple meanings, such as ‘bank’ (financial institution or riverbank).
Semantic ambiguity happens when a phrase or expression can have multiple meanings, such as ‘the police arrested a man.’
Ambiguity can also result from wordplay, euphemisms, ambiguity of reference, and implicature.
Usage Notes
Ambiguity is often used in formal and academic contexts to describe situations where meaning is unclear or open to interpretation.
It is essential to avoid ambiguity when communicating important information to ensure clarity and understanding.
Cultural References
Ambiguity has appeared in popular culture, often symbolizing confusion or uncertainty.
Examples include titles of books, songs, or films, like the novel ‘Ambiguity’ by Colette.
Idiomatic Expressions
1. ‘On the one hand, on the other hand,’ emphasizing two contrasting viewpoints, which can lead to ambiguity.
2.’By any means necessary,’ which may result in ambiguity by conveying an unclear motivation.
Collocations
Ambiguity often collocates with words and phrases like ‘language,’ ‘communication,’ ‘meaning,’ and ‘interpretation.’
Frequency of Use
Ambiguity is widely used in everyday language, appearing in various contexts, from literature to business and academic writing.
Ambiguity frequency in spoken language is significant as it often appears in casual conversations, debates, and disputes.
Common Misspellings
1. Ambigius
2. Ambiguities