ambiguous - Definition | Dictionary definition of ambiguous

Definition of ambiguous

open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead

"the polling had a complex and equivocal (or ambiguous) message for potential female candidates"

Synonyms:: equivocal; double, forked
having two meanings with intent to deceive; evasive
deliberately vague or ambiguous; indeterminate
of uncertain or ambiguous nature

Antonyms:: unequivocal
admitting of no doubt or misunderstanding; having only one meaning or interpretation and leading to only one conclusion; unambiguous, univocal; absolute
expressing finality with no implication of possible change; straightforward
free from ambiguity; unquestionable
not open to question; show more antonyms...

having more than one possible meaning

"ambiguous words"

"frustrated by ambiguous instructions, the parents were unable to assemble the toy"

Synonyms:: unclear
not clear to the mind; equivocal
open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead; double-barreled, double-barrelled
having two purposes; twofold; double-edged
capable of being interpreted in two usually contradictory ways; enigmatic, oracular
resembling an oracle in obscurity of thought; left-handed
ironically ambiguous; multi-valued, multivalent
having many values, meanings, or appeals; polysemantic, polysemous
of words; having many meanings; uncertain
ambiguous (especially in the negative)

Antonyms:: unambiguous
having or exhibiting a single clearly defined meaning; clear
readily apparent to the mind; unequivocal, univocal
admitting of no doubt or misunderstanding; having only one meaning or interpretation and leading to only one conclusion; monosemous
having only one meaning; show more antonyms...

having no intrinsic or objective meaning; not organized in conventional patterns

"an ambiguous situation with no frame of reference"

"ambiguous inkblots"