French Conversation · Level 38
75 words
French word
ambiguïté
Pronunciation
IPA/ɑ̃bigɥite/
Meaning
- feminine nounambiguity
Example
Il y a une ambiguïté dans sa réponse.
There is ambiguity in his answer.
More examples
Il existe une ambiguïté sémantique dans ce passage.
There is a semantic ambiguity in this passage.
Core concept
A signpost pointing in two directions, leaving the same words or situation open to different readings.
Common phrases
ambiguïté sémantique
semantic ambiguity
l'ambiguïté du règlement
ambiguity in the regulation
Similar words
malentendu: A mistaken interpretation that causes a failure to understand each other.
confusion: A disordered state in which information or circumstances are unclear.
équivoque: Uncertainty caused by wording or circumstances open to different interpretations.
doute: A lack of certainty about whether something is true or will happen.
Definition in French
Manque de clarté d'une expression, d'une situation ou d'un mot qui permet plusieurs interprétations.
Word origin
French ambiguïté comes from Latin ambiguitas, from ambigere, built on ambi- 'both ways' and agere 'drive or lead', expressing two possible directions.
Usage tips
- Ambiguïté is feminine, so the usual form is une ambiguïté, with ambiguïtés in the plural.