What does ambivalently mean?
Ambivalently is an adverb that describes a person's mixed feelings or contradictory attitudes about something. It can be used to convey a sense of uncertainty, hesitation, or indecision. In informal contexts, ambivalently can be used to describe a person's emotional state, but in formal writing or academic contexts, more precise language is often preferred. The word has Latin roots, with 'ambi-' meaning 'both' and 'valent' meaning 'strong' or 'powerful'. Ambivalently is often used in conjunction with other words that convey nuanced emotions or attitudes, such as 'equivocally' or 'hesitantly'. Overall, ambivalently is a useful word for describing complex emotions or attitudes, and its precise meaning and usage make it a valuable addition to any writer's or speaker's vocabulary.
adverbHaving or showing mixed feelings or contradictory attitudes about something.
- Having or showing mixed feelings or contradictory attitudes about something.
"She ambivalently accepted the invitation, unsure if she wanted to attend the party."
"She ambivalently accepted the invitation, unsure if she wanted to attend the party."
"He ambivalently responded to the question, unsure if he wanted to reveal his true feelings."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ambivalently
The word ambivalently originated from the Latin prefix 'ambi-', meaning 'both', and the Latin word 'valent', meaning 'strong' or 'powerful'. The term 'ambivalence' was first used in the 19th century to describe a person's mixed feelings or contradictory attitudes about something. The adverbial form, ambivalently, emerged later as a way to describe a person's emotional state in more nuanced terms.
How ambivalently is actually used
In informal contexts, ambivalently can be used to describe a person's mixed feelings or contradictory attitudes about something. However, in formal writing or academic contexts, it's more common to use more precise language to convey nuanced emotions or attitudes.