What is unambiguous? Pronunciation and usage in English

unambiguous means . Learn how to pronounce and use unambiguous through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of unambiguous

unambiguousadjective

/ˌʌnæmˈbɪɡjuəs//ˌʌnæmˈbɪɡjuəs/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "unambiguous." It's a tricky one! Here's a breakdown with phonetic spellings and tips:

1. Phonetic Spelling (Most Accurate):

  • uhn-ˈäm-bə-ˈwi-əs

2. Breakdown by Syllable:

  • uhn – Like the "un" in "under" – a short, unstressed "uh" sound.
  • ˈäm – This is the stressed syllable. Pronounce it with an "a" as in "father". It's a clear, strong “ah” sound.
  • bə – Like "buh" – a short, unstressed sound.
  • ˈwi – Again, stressed! Pronounce it with a “w” sound followed by an “ih” sound (like the “i” in “bit”).
  • əs – Like "us" – a short, unstressed “uh” sound with a “s” at the end.

3. Tips for Pronunciation:

  • Stress: The emphasis is clearly on the second syllable ("äm"). This is the most important thing to get right.
  • “Un” sound: Don’t say “uhn” like “on.” It's a shorter, more muted sound.
  • "W" sound: Make sure you articulate the "w" sound clearly in "wi."
  • Don't over-emphasize: It's a relatively straightforward word. Avoid making it sound overly complicated.

4. Listen to Examples:

  • Google it: Search "how to pronounce unambiguous" on Google or YouTube. You'll find many audio examples from native English speakers.
  • Forvo: Forvo (forvo.com) is a fantastic website where you can hear words pronounced by native speakers from various regions: https://forvo.com/word/unambiguous/

Would you like me to:

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  • Explain any part of the pronunciation in more detail?

Usage and examples with the word unambiguous in English

Let's break down how to use the word "unambiguous" in English. It's a pretty useful word for adding precision to your writing and speech.

1. Definition:

"Unambiguous" means clear, definite, and leaving no room for doubt or misinterpretation. It’s the opposite of ambiguous, which means unclear or open to multiple interpretations.

2. How to Use It:

You'll generally use “unambiguous” to describe something – a statement, a signal, a instruction, a piece of evidence – that is exceptionally clear and easy to understand.

3. Common Sentence Structures:

  • Describing a statement: “His instructions were unambiguous; they clearly stated what needed to be done.”
  • Describing a sign or symbol: “The traffic light was unambiguous – red meant stop.”
  • Describing evidence: “The DNA evidence was unambiguous, confirming his guilt.”
  • Describing a solution: “The doctor provided an unambiguous diagnosis.”
  • Giving a warning: “The warning was unambiguous – ‘Do not enter’.”

4. Example Phrases and Ways to Incorporate It:

  • “An unambiguous response”: Means a clear and definite answer.
  • “An unambiguous interpretation”: Means an interpretation that's free from confusion.
  • “To express something unambiguously”: To state something clearly and directly.
  • “He gave an unambiguous explanation.” (He explained it very clearly and without leaving any misunderstanding.)

5. Synonyms (Words with Similar Meanings):

  • Clear
  • Definite
  • Precise
  • Explicit
  • Straightforward
  • Certain
  • Unquestionable

6. Important Note: It's Not Always Perfect:

While "unambiguous" suggests absolute clarity, in reality, even the clearest communication can sometimes be misunderstood. It's a high standard of clarity.

Let's look at some examples to illustrate:

  • Ambiguous: "He said he would be there 'soon.'" (How soon is unclear – it could be five minutes or five hours.)

  • Unambiguous: "He said he would be there at 3:00 PM." (This leaves no room for doubt.)

  • Ambiguous: "The survey results were ambiguous, showing a slight increase in support."

  • Unambiguous: "The survey results were unambiguous, showing a 20% increase in support."

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Help you practice using "unambiguous" in a sentence?
  • Explain how it's used in a specific context (e.g., legal writing, scientific reports)?

Synonyms for the word unambiguous

Practice with vocabulary unambiguous

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. To avoid any potential misunderstandings, the legal agreement must contain ______________ language regarding the terms of service.
  2. The company's policy on remote work is ______________; it states that all employees are expected in the office three days a week, with no exceptions.
  3. The project manager asked for a ______________ explanation of the budget overrun, detailing every unexpected expense.
  4. After analyzing the survey data, the trend towards increased customer satisfaction became ______________, with a clear upward trajectory in all key metrics.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The CEO's statement regarding the company's future direction was so ______________ that it left no room for speculation among employees. a) vague b) obscure c) unambiguous d) open to interpretation

  2. For a scientific hypothesis to be testable, its parameters must be defined in a(n) ______________ manner. a) equivocal b) ambiguous c) distinct d) unambiguous

  3. Despite numerous attempts to find loopholes, the contract's clauses were ______________, leaving no doubt about the responsibilities of each party. a) indefinite b) clear c) certain d) unambiguous

  4. During the negotiation, both parties sought a ______________ resolution that directly addressed all points of contention without unnecessary embellishment. a) verbose b) concise c) elaborate d) prolix

  5. Given the overwhelming evidence, the jury's verdict was ______________, reflecting the conclusive nature of the prosecution's case. a) dubious b) certain c) speculative d) probable

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The project guidelines were so poorly written that team members frequently misinterpreted their tasks. Rewrite: The project guidelines needed to be ______________ to prevent misinterpretation of tasks.

  2. Original: The data from the latest market research definitively showed a preference for the new product design. Rewrite: The latest market research provided ______________ data, showing a clear preference for the new product design.

  3. Original: To ensure everyone understands the new security protocol, we must present the information in a very direct and easy-to-follow way. Rewrite: To ensure universal understanding of the new security protocol, the information must be presented ______________ and comprehensibly.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. unambiguous
  2. unambiguous
  3. explicit
  4. evident

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) unambiguous
  2. c) distinct, d) unambiguous
  3. b) clear, c) certain, d) unambiguous
  4. b) concise
  5. b) certain

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The project guidelines needed to be unambiguous to prevent team members from misinterpreting their tasks.
  2. The latest market research provided unambiguous data, showing a clear preference for the new product design.
  3. To ensure universal understanding of the new security protocol, the information must be presented explicitly and comprehensibly.

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