ambiguous (adj.)

having more than one possible meaning

Examples

• The instructions were ambiguous.

Key rules

• Ambiguous means open to more than one interpretation
• Use ambiguous about or ambiguous in a sentence: an ambiguous answer
• Ambiguity is the noun

Common mistakes

• The instructions were ambiguity → The instructions were ambiguous
• Her answer is ambiguously → Her answer is ambiguous

Use cases

• Describing unclear instructions
• Reviewing legal wording
• Critiquing a poem