ambiguous ambiguous /æmˈbɪɡjuəs/

adjective

1. () Open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead  ( equivocal , ambiguous )
   open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead
    An equivocal statement
   an equivocal statement
    The polling had a complex and equivocal (or ambiguous) message for potential female candidates
   the polling had a complex and equivocal (or ambiguous) message for potential female candidates
    The officer's equivocal behavior increased the victim's uneasiness
   the officer's equivocal behavior increased the victim's uneasiness
    Popularity is an equivocal crown
   popularity is an equivocal crown
    An equivocal response to an embarrassing question
   an equivocal response to an embarrassing question
   
2. () Having more than one possible meaning  ( ambiguous )
   having more than one possible meaning
    Ambiguous words
   ambiguous words
    Frustrated by ambiguous instructions, the parents were unable to assemble the toy
   frustrated by ambiguous instructions, the parents were unable to assemble the toy
   
3. () (psychology) having no intrinsic or objective meaning; not organized in conventional patterns  ( ambiguous )
   (psychology) having no intrinsic or objective meaning; not organized in conventional patterns
    An ambiguous situation with no frame of reference
   an ambiguous situation with no frame of reference
    Ambiguous inkblots
   ambiguous inkblots