Are Ambiguous and Ambivalent the Same?
Both are adjectives that derive from the Latin prefix ambi-(meaning “both”), but do ambiguous and ambivalent mean the same thing?
- Saying that something is ambiguous describes it as unclear, vague, or “capable of being understood in two or more possible senses or ways” (Merriam-Webster).
- To be ambivalent means “having simultaneous conflicting feelings or contradictory ideas about something” (Etymonline).
The distinction between them is clearer in application:
Her account of the event was deliberately ambiguous.
She seems to feel ambivalent about her new job.
Ambiguous means cryptic or unclear, and applies more to situations than feelings.
Sentence examples with “Ambiguous” / “Ambivalent”
| Word | Example Sentences |
|---|---|
| ambiguous |
The paragraph is rendered ambiguous by the writer’s careless use of pronouns.
It is for the jury to decide what an ambiguous statement was intended to mean. His role has always been ambiguous. |
| ambivalent |
He has an ambivalent attitude towards her.
The party’s position on nuclear weapons is deeply ambivalent. She is deeply ambivalent about her feelings for him. |
Use the ‘v’ in ambivalent to remember it describes varying feelings, while ambiguous is about things or statements being unclear.
Similar words
| Word | Synonyms |
|---|---|
| ambiguous | unclear, vague, cryptic, uncertain, dubious, enigmatic, equivocal, inconclusive, obscure, opaque, puzzling, questionable |
| ambivalent | contradictory, doubtful, equivocal, hesitant, mixed, uncertain, undecided, unsure |
Word origin
“Of doubtful or uncertain nature, open to various interpretations,” 1520s, from Latin ambiguus “having double meaning, shifting, changeable, doubtful,” an adjective derived from ambigere.
“Having simultaneous conflicting feelings or contradictory ideas about something,” 1916, originally a term in psychology; a back-formation from ambivalence. In general use by 1929.
Other misused words
Worksheet
The instructions were so ______ that nobody was sure what to do.
She experienced a sense of ______ about moving to a new city—she was excited but also sad to leave her friends.
His answer was so full of ______ that nobody knew exactly what he meant.
She was ______ about the decision, feeling both excitement and fear.
The message was left intentionally ______ so the recipient could interpret it however they wished.
FAQs
Are ambiguous & ambivalent the same?
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What does ambiguous mean?
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What does ambivalent mean?
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Can ambiguous describe feelings?
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Can ambivalent describe situations?
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Sources
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Oxford Learner’s Dictionary on “ambivalent” and “ambiguous”. Accessed 19 April 2024. Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of ambivalent.” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/ambivalent. Accessed 19 April 2024.
Yash, D. "How to Use Ambiguous or Ambivalent? (Word Choice)." Grammarflex, Aug 27, 2025, https://grammarflex.com/ambiguous-or-ambivalent/.
