Ambiguity

usgb/ˌæmbɪˈɡjuːəti/
noun

The quality of being open to more than one interpretation (meaning).

The ambiguity of her smile made him confused.
Visual representation of "ambiguity" - The quality of being open to more than one interpretation (meaning)

Often appears as...

  • deliberate ambiguity
  • inherent ambiguity
Definition 1 of 4
Visual representation of "ambiguity"
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Interpretation Variation

Ambiguity often requires context or additional information to determine the intended meaning.

Illustration for Interpretation Variation
Without context, the ambiguity of 'set' makes it unclear if it refers to a group or readiness.
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Purposeful Uncertainty

Writers sometimes use ambiguity to engage readers, making them think or imagine possibilities.

Illustration for Purposeful Uncertainty
The ambiguity in the poem's ending left space for various interpretations.
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Compare with

ambivalencecertaintyequivocateimprecisionindeterminacyobscurityopacityvague
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Visual representation of the word "Ambiguity"

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