Word · CEFR B2 · Frequency #6442
ambiguous
模棱两可的；含糊不清的；有歧义的
Having more than one possible meaning or interpretation; unclear or equivocal.
- 1.
Open to multiple interpretations.
模棱两可的；有多种解释的
- 2.
open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead
可有多种解释的；性质或意义不确定的；(常)故意误导的
- 3.
having more than one possible meaning
有多种可能的意思
- 4.
having no intrinsic or objective meaning; not organized in conventional patterns
没有内在或客观意义的；不按常规模式组织的
无确定意义的；无客观含义的；模棱两可的；有多种解释的；可有多种解释的；性质或意义不确定的；(常)故意误导的；有多种可能的意思；没有内在或客观意义的；不按常规模式组织的
In use
The instructions were ambiguous, so I didn’t know which button to press.
Her answer was deliberately ambiguous, leaving us unsure of her true intentions.
The photograph is ambiguous; it could be a duck or a rabbit.
the polling had a complex and equivocal (or ambiguous) message for potential female candidates
ambiguous words
frustrated by ambiguous instructions, the parents were unable to assemble the toy
an ambiguous situation with no frame of reference
ambiguous inkblots
Connections
Collocations
- ambiguous statement
- 模棱两可的陈述
- The politician made an ambiguous statement that could be interpreted in different ways.那位政客发表了一个可以不同方式解读的模棱两可的陈述。
- ambiguous meaning
- 含糊的意义
- The poem has an ambiguous meaning, leaving room for multiple interpretations.这首诗的意义含糊不清，留有多重解读的空间。
- ambiguous term
- 含糊的术语
- In legal documents, ambiguous terms can lead to disputes.在法律文件中，含糊的术语可能导致争议。
- ambiguous situation
- 模棱两可的情况
- We need to clarify the ambiguous situation before making a decision.在做出决定之前，我们需要澄清这个模棱两可的情况。
- ambiguous response
- 含糊其辞的回答
- Her ambiguous response suggested she was hiding something.她含糊其辞的回答暗示她在隐瞒什么。
Learner notes
Memory Tip
ambi-（两者）+ guous（像goes，去）→ 两边都去，意思模棱两可。
Context & Register
中性语域；常见于学术、法律、文学及日常讨论中，描述概念、陈述或行为具有多种解释的不确定性。
Grammar Note
Often used with 'about' or 'between' when specifying the source of ambiguity.
Pronunciation & Spelling
Words ending in -uous generally share the /juəs/ ending (e.g., continuous, strenuous, conspicuous). However, the consonant before -uous can differ (e.g., /ɡ/ in ambiguous vs. /dʒ/ in arduous).
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 2，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Dictionary facts from DICTIONARY_API_DEV, ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.