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ambiguous expression

[/æmˈbɪɡjuəs ɪkˈsprɛʃən/]
nounpl: ambiguous expressions
expressão ambígua
1. A statement, phrase, or utterance that can be interpreted in more than one way, creating uncertainty about the intended meaning
The sentence 'I saw the man with the telescope' is an ambiguous expression because it's unclear who has the telescope.
A frase 'Vi o homem com o telescópio' é uma expressão ambígua porque não fica claro quem tem o telescópio.
2. In linguistics or logic, language that lacks clarity due to multiple possible interpretations
The contract contained several ambiguous expressions that led to legal disputes.
O contrato continha várias expressões ambíguas que levaram a disputas legais.
Synonyms
ambiguous statementunclear expressionequivocal phrasevague languagedouble meaning
Antonyms
clear expressionunambiguous statementexplicit languageprecise wordingdefinitive phrase

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
expressão ambígua
Standard usage in Brazilian Portuguese
São Paulo
expressão ambígua
Common in formal and academic contexts
Portugal
expressão ambígua
Standard usage in European Portuguese
General
expressão equívoca
Alternative formal term used in both Brazil and Portugal

Related Idioms & Phrases

read between the lines
lost in translation
speak in riddles
talk in circles
double-edged sword
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