equivocal

Advancedzipf 2.37

Pronunciation

/ɪˈkwɪvəkəl/(ih-KWIV-uh-kul)

Part of speech

adjectiveformal

Chinese

模棱两可的；含糊的

Definition

Open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous or uncertain.

Word family

  • equivocate/ɪˈkwɪvəkeɪt/(v)含糊其辞
  • equivocation/ɪˌkwɪvəˈkeɪʃən/(n)含糊
  • unequivocal/ˌʌnɪˈkwɪvəkəl/(adj)明确的

Collocations

  • equivocal response
  • equivocal evidence
  • equivocal results
  • deliberately equivocal

Examples

  1. 1.The test results were equivocal, so the doctor ordered further examination. (unclear)
  2. 2.Politicians are often equivocal when asked about controversial topics. (deliberately vague)

Synonyms

  • ambiguous/æmˈbɪɡjuəs/— unclear, open to interpretation
  • vague/veɪɡ/— not clearly expressed
  • noncommittal/ˌnɒnkəˈmɪtəl/— avoiding commitment

Etymology

from Latin "aequivocus" — aequi- (equal) + vox (voice) — speaking with equal voice on both sides