英语词汇“ambivalent”的英英意思、用法、释义、翻译、读音、例句、短语、词组-英语词典

adj

If you can't decide how you feel about something, declare yourself ambivalent about it.

Ambivalent means "having mixed feelings about something." A Swiss psychologist named Eugen Bleuler coined the German word Ambivalenz in the early twentieth century, and it was soon imported into English. Bleuler combined the Latin prefix ambi-, meaning "both," with valentia, "strength." So etymologically speaking, if you're ambivalent you're being pulled by two equally strong things — but in practice, ambivalence often arises from caring very little either way. You might feel ambivalent about your lunch options if you have to choose between a murky stew and flavorless tofu.

CHOOSE YOUR WORDS

ambiguous / ambivalent

Something ambiguous is unclear or vague, like the end of a short story that leaves you scratching your head. But if you're ambivalent about something, you can take it or leave it. Whatever.

Ambiguous is something that is confusing or has more than one meaning. It can be the ambiguous look your ex-girlfriend gives you as she leaves the library, or the ambiguous ending of the movie Lost Highway, where you don't know what the heck just happened. Here's the word in action from the news:

Are there threads you might come back to later, or was that a deliberate choice to leave some things about him ambiguous? (New York Times)

"The election law in New York is written in an ill-defined, ambiguous way," Goldfeder said, adding that he did not believe any laws were broken. (Reuters)

Ambivalent is when you don't hate something, but you don't love it either. Since you feel two ways about it, you don't really care. It's often used to describe feelings, attitudes, and relationships:

Danya, now nearly 14, was ambivalent about leaving, drawn toward being a teenager in New York City. (New York Times)

Valentine's Day When You're Dating a Woman You're Ambivalent About. (All Word News)

He had told me early on that he was ambivalent about his maleness but had made peace with it. (New York Times)

When choosing between ambiguous and ambivalent, consider whether you are describing something that is unclear or vague: that's ambiguous. If it's a fluctuation in attitude or feeling, that's ambivalent. If you're ambivalent about ambiguous movie endings, stay away from David Lynch and stick to blockbusters when the good guys win.

WORD FAMILY

ambivalent: ambivalence, ambivalency, ambivalently+/ambivalence: ambivalences

USAGE EXAMPLES

It’s not a heartless portrayal, but it’s an ambivalent one.

New York Times(Dec 29, 2016)

This Apollo performance was something of a comeback, but an ambivalent one.

New York Times(Dec 22, 2016)

Some who addressed the San Francisco library commission were ambivalent about the plan, including Librarians Guild representative Melissa Riley.

Los Angeles Times(Dec 20, 2016)

adj uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow

was ambivalent about having children

Syn

incertain, uncertain, unsure

lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance

单词	ambivalent
释义	ambivalent (once / 7954 pages) adj If you can't decide how you feel about something, declare yourself ambivalent about it. Ambivalent means "having mixed feelings about something." A Swiss psychologist named Eugen Bleuler coined the German word Ambivalenz in the early twentieth century, and it was soon imported into English. Bleuler combined the Latin prefix ambi-, meaning "both," with valentia, "strength." So etymologically speaking, if you're ambivalent you're being pulled by two equally strong things — but in practice, ambivalence often arises from caring very little either way. You might feel ambivalent about your lunch options if you have to choose between a murky stew and flavorless tofu. CHOOSE YOUR WORDS ambiguous / ambivalent Something ambiguous is unclear or vague, like the end of a short story that leaves you scratching your head. But if you're ambivalent about something, you can take it or leave it. Whatever. Ambiguous is something that is confusing or has more than one meaning. It can be the ambiguous look your ex-girlfriend gives you as she leaves the library, or the ambiguous ending of the movie Lost Highway, where you don't know what the heck just happened. Here's the word in action from the news: Are there threads you might come back to later, or was that a deliberate choice to leave some things about him ambiguous? (New York Times) "The election law in New York is written in an ill-defined, ambiguous way," Goldfeder said, adding that he did not believe any laws were broken. (Reuters) Ambivalent is when you don't hate something, but you don't love it either. Since you feel two ways about it, you don't really care. It's often used to describe feelings, attitudes, and relationships: Danya, now nearly 14, was ambivalent about leaving, drawn toward being a teenager in New York City. (New York Times) Valentine's Day When You're Dating a Woman You're Ambivalent About. (All Word News) He had told me early on that he was ambivalent about his maleness but had made peace with it. (New York Times) When choosing between ambiguous and ambivalent, consider whether you are describing something that is unclear or vague: that's ambiguous. If it's a fluctuation in attitude or feeling, that's ambivalent. If you're ambivalent about ambiguous movie endings, stay away from David Lynch and stick to blockbusters when the good guys win. WORD FAMILY ambivalent: ambivalence, ambivalency, ambivalently+/ambivalence: ambivalences USAGE EXAMPLES It’s not a heartless portrayal, but it’s an ambivalent one. New York Times(Dec 29, 2016) This Apollo performance was something of a comeback, but an ambivalent one. New York Times(Dec 22, 2016) Some who addressed the San Francisco library commission were ambivalent about the plan, including Librarians Guild representative Melissa Riley. Los Angeles Times(Dec 20, 2016) adj uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow was ambivalent about having children Syn incertain, uncertain, unsure lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
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