Are ambiguous and ambivalent the same?
Both are adjectives that derive from the Latin prefix ambi-, (meaning “both”), but do ambiguous and ambivalent mean the same thing?
- Saying that something is ambiguous describes it as unclear, vague or “capable of being understood in two or more possible senses or ways” (Marriam-Webster).
- To be ambivalent means “having simultaneous conflicting feelings or contradictory ideas about something,” (Etymonline).
The distinction between them is clearer in application:
Her account of the event was deliberately ambiguous.
She seems to feel ambivalent about her new job.
Ambiguous can describe writing that’s cryptic or unclear, and applies more fittingly to situations or events; whereas ‘ambivalent’ expresses personal feelings of uncertainty and confusion.
“Ambiguous” / “ambivalent”, used in sentences
| Examples: “ambiguous” used in sentences |
|---|
| The paragraph is rendered ambiguous by the writer’s careless use of pronouns. It is for the jury to decide what an ambiguous statement was intended to mean. His role has always been ambiguous. |
| Examples: “ambivalent” used in sentences |
|---|
He has an ambivalent attitude towards her. The party’s position on nuclear weapons is deeply ambivalent. She is deeply ambivalent about her feelings for him. |
Ambiguous, synonyms
- cryptic
- dubious
- enigmatic
- equivocal
- inconclusive
- obscure
- opaque
- puzzling
- questionable
- uncertain
- unclear
- vague
Ambivalent, synonyms
- contradictory
- doubtful
- equivocal
- hesitant
- mixed
- uncertain
- undecided
- unsure
Word origin
“Of doubtful or uncertain nature, open to various interpretations,” 1520s, from Latin ambiguus “having double meaning, shifting, changeable, doubtful,” an adjective derived from ambigere.
“Having simultaneous conflicting feelings or contradictory ideas about something,” 1916, originally a term in psychology; a back-formation from ambivalence. In general use by 1929.
Read about other misused words
Sources
- Oxford Learner’s Dictionary on “ambivalent” and “ambiguous”. Accessed 19 April, 2024.
- Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of ambivalent.” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/ambivalent. Accessed 19 April, 2024.
