am ‧ big ‧ u ‧ ous AC /æmˈbɪɡjuəs/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ ambiguity ; adverb : ↑ ambiguously ≠ ↑ unambiguously ; adjective : ↑ ambiguous ≠ ↑ unambiguous ]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: ambiguus , from ambigere 'to wander around' , from ambi- ( AMBI- ) + agere 'to drive' ]
something that is ambiguous is unclear, confusing, or not certain, especially because it can be understood in more than one way OPP unambiguous :
The language in the Minister’s statement is highly ambiguous.
His role in the affair is ambiguous.
—ambiguously adverb :
The legislation had been ambiguously worded.
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In everyday English, people also use the phrase you can take something two ways instead of saying it is ambiguous :
▪ What she says is ambiguous. ➔ You can take what she says two ways.