equivocality

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

e•quiv•o•cal /ɪˈkwɪvəkəl/   adj. 

1. deliberately vague;
   allowing the possibility of more than one meaning or interpretation:
   an equivocal answer.
2. of doubtful nature or character;
   questionable:
   Ours was an equivocal victory because we lost so many men.

See -equa-, -voc-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

e•quiv•o•cal  (i kwiv′ə kəl), adj. 

1. allowing the possibility of several different meanings, as a word or phrase, esp. with intent to deceive or misguide; susceptible of double interpretation;
   deliberately ambiguous:
   an equivocal answer.
2. of doubtful nature or character;
   questionable;
   dubious;
   suspicious:
   aliens of equivocal loyalty.
3. of uncertain significance;
   not determined:
   an equivocal attitude.

• Late Latin aequivocus ambiguous, equivalent. to Latin aequi- equi- + vōc-, stem of vōx vox + -us adjective, adjectival suffix) + -al¹
• late Middle English equivoc (1375–1425

e•quiv′o•cal′i•ty, e•quiv•o•ca•cy  (i kwiv′ə kə sē), n.  e•quiv′o•cal•ly, adv. 
e•quiv′o•cal•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. See ambiguous.