What does equivocally mean?
"Equivocally" is an adverb meaning in an ambiguous, unclear, or deliberately evasive way. Something stated equivocally can be understood in two or more senses — sometimes by accident of poor wording, but often by design, as when a speaker wants to avoid committing to a position or to leave themselves room to reinterpret their words later. The word derives from the Latin "aequivocus", combining "aequus" (equal) with "vocare" (to call), literally "of equal voice" — that is, calling forth two meanings equally. In modern usage it appears mainly in formal contexts such as political reporting, legal analysis, and criticism, where precision about how clearly something was said matters. Its connotations lean negative: to speak equivocally is often to hedge, prevaricate, or mislead. It is best remembered alongside its antonym "unequivocally", which signals absolute clarity, and it belongs to the same family as "equivocate" (to use ambiguous language to conceal the truth) and "equivocation" (the act itself).
adverbIn an ambiguous or deliberately unclear manner; capable of being understood in two or more ways, often so as to mislead or avoid commitment.
- In a manner that is ambiguous, vague, or open to more than one interpretation.
- (Of speech or conduct) deliberately evasively, so as to conceal the truth or avoid commitment.
"When pressed for a straight answer, the minister responded equivocally, leaving reporters unsure of the government's position."
"The contract's clause was worded equivocally, allowing both parties to claim they had met their obligations."
"Asked directly whether he would resign, the chairman answered equivocally, promising only to 'consider all options'."
It's one of those rare words whose most common partner in print is its own antonym — writers reach for 'equivocally' mostly to deny it with 'not'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of equivocally
Equivocally comes from the adjective "equivocal", which entered English in the early 17th century from the Latin "aequiovocus": "aequus" meaning equal and "vocare" meaning to call or name. The adverb was formed by adding the standard English suffix -ly. It shares this root with "equivocation" (from the medieval Latin "aequivocatio") and with "equivocate"; the underlying idea is that of a single word or utterance carrying two voices — two equally valid interpretations. Its direct opposite, "unequivocally", was formed later within English by prefixing the negative un-.
Related word forms
How equivocally is actually used
Formal to neutral register; found chiefly in journalism, legal writing, and literary prose rather than everyday conversation. It carries a mildly negative connotation when it implies deliberate evasion, and a merely descriptive one when it simply notes ambiguity.
Easily confused with equivocally
'Unequivocally' means in a completely clear and unambiguous way — the opposite of 'equivocally', which means ambiguously or evasively.