ambiguous

/æmˈbɪɡjuəs/adjective

Having more than one possible meaning; unclear.

Example sentences

“The instructions were so ambiguous that nobody knew what to do.”
“Her reply was deliberately ambiguous.”

Not the same as "vague". A vague statement is fuzzy; an ambiguous one has two or more distinct readings.

Synonyms for ambiguous

unclear
equivocal
open to interpretation

Antonyms

clear
explicit
definite

Often confused with ambiguous

ambiguous vs ambivalent: ambivalent (adjective): Having mixed or conflicting feelings about something at the same time.

On the Academic Word List. Find it in: Academic vocabulary.

Related words

crypticCarrying a meaning that is hidden or hard to work out.ambitionA strong wish to achieve success, fame, power, or a particular goal that sets one apart.amazementA feeling of great surprise and wonder.amassTo gather or build up a large amount of something over time.ambulanceA vehicle equipped to carry sick or badly injured people to a hospital in an emergency.alumnusA former student of a school, college, or university, especially one who graduated.