What does ambivalent mean?
Ambivalent describes the state of holding two opposing feelings, desires, or attitudes toward the same person, object, or idea at the same time. Someone who is ambivalent might feel both drawn to and wary of a new job, or love and resent a family member simultaneously. The word applies strictly to internal states of mind: if a sentence or situation itself can be read in multiple ways, that is ambiguity, not ambivalence. Coined in the early twentieth century by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler for use in clinical psychology, ambivalent quickly spread into general language and is now common in journalism, literature, and everyday conversation. Its connotations are neutral to slightly negative, suggesting hesitation or inner conflict rather than decisiveness. As a precise label for mixed emotions that vaguer terms like 'unsure' fail to capture, it remains one of the most useful words for describing the complexity of human feeling.
adjectiveHaving or showing simultaneous and often contradictory feelings or attitudes toward a person, thing, or idea; unable to choose between opposing responses.
- Having mixed or contradictory feelings toward someone or something.
- (In psychology) The coexistence of positive and negative emotional attitudes toward the same object.
"She felt ambivalent about accepting the promotion, excited by the opportunity yet reluctant to leave her team."
"He was ambivalent about moving abroad, torn between career ambition and family ties."
"Critics remain ambivalent about the novel, praising its prose while questioning its plot."
The word 'ambivalent' was coined barely over a century ago by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler — the same doctor who gave us 'schizophrenia' — before it escaped the clinic and became everyday vocabulary.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ambivalent
Ambivalent derives from Latin roots: ambi-, meaning 'around' or 'on both sides', combined with valere, meaning 'to be strong' or 'to have power'. The compound term was coined in the early twentieth century by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler, who used it to describe the coexistence of conflicting emotional drives in his patients. Words sharing the same Latin root include valence, valiant, and valid, all built on notions of strength or worth.
Related word forms
How ambivalent is actually used
Ambivalent is standard in both formal and informal contexts. It always refers to a state of mind held by a subject — never to an object itself being unclear (that is ambiguity). In psychological writing it carries a more technical meaning of simultaneous attraction and repulsion.
Easily confused with ambivalent
Ambiguous describes something whose meaning is unclear or open to multiple interpretations, while ambivalent describes a person holding two conflicting feelings at once.