Ambiguous and Ambivalent Commonly Confused Words

The adjectives ambiguous and ambivalent both involve a degree of uncertainty, but the two words are not interchangeable. Definitions The adjective ambiguous means doubtful or unclear, open to more than one interpretation. The adjective ambivalent means holding opposing attitudes or feelings toward a person, object, or idea. Examples Jim ParsonsHold on. Bimonthly is an ambiguous term. Do you mean every other month or twice a month?David CarrollEven if we only briefly consider multiple meanings of ambiguous words, it is somewhat puzzling that we do it at all. After all, in most contexts only one of a words meanings is relevant.Vernon A. WaltersAmericans have always had an ambivalent attitude toward intelligence. When they feel threatened, they want a lot of it, and when they dont, they regard the whole thing as somewhat immoral.Aeon J. Skoble​Thematically, film noir is typically said to be characterized by moral ambiguity: murky distinctions between good guys and bad guys, ambivalence about right and wrong, conflicts between law and morality, unsettling inversion of values, and so on.Winona Ryder and Vanessa Redgrave​Susanna: Im ambivalent. In fact, thats my new favorite word.Dr. Wick: Do you know what that means, ambivalence?Susanna: I dont care.Dr. Wick: If its your favorite word, I wouldve thought you would.Susanna: It means I dont care. Thats what it means.Dr. Wick: On the contrary, Susanna. Ambivalence suggests strong feelings . . . in opposition. The prefix, as in ambidextrous, means both. The rest of it, in Latin, means vigor. The word suggests that you are torn . . . between two opposing courses of action.Susanna: Will I stay or will I go?Dr. Wick: Am I sane . . . or, am I crazy?Susanna: Those arent courses of action.Dr. Wick: They can be, dear--for some.Susanna: Well, then--its the wrong word.Dr. Wick: No. I think its perfect.