equivocal meaning and definition

EQUIVOCAL adjective

Definition of equivocal (adjective)

1. open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead
   • "an equivocal statement"; "the polling had a complex and equivocal (or ambiguous) message for potential female candidates"; "the officer's equivocal behavior increased the victim's uneasiness"; "popularity is an equivocal crown"; "an equivocal response to an embarrassing question"
   • synonyms: ambiguous
   • antonym: unambiguous
2. open to question
   • "aliens of equivocal loyalty"; "his conscience reproached him with the equivocal character of the union into which he had forced his son"-Anna Jameson
3. uncertain as a sign or indication
   • "the evidence from bacteriologic analysis was equivocal"