different between ambiguity vs variability

English

Etymology

From Middle English ambiguite, from Old French ambiguite (French ambiguïté), from Latin ambiguitas.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /æmb???ju??ti/

Noun

ambiguity (countable and uncountable, plural ambiguities)

1. (countable) Something, particularly words and sentences, that is open to more than one interpretation, explanation or meaning, if that meaning etc cannot be determined from its context.

   His speech was made with such great ambiguity that neither supporter nor opponent could be certain of his true position.

2. (uncountable) The state of being ambiguous.

Synonyms

• (state of being ambiguous): ambiguousness, imprecision, polysemy
• weasel word

Antonyms

• unambiguity

Related terms

• ambiguous

Translations

English

Etymology

Derived form of variable, from Old French variable; see variable +? -ity.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?v???.i.?.?b?l.?.ti (?.ti)/
• (US, Mary–marry–merry distinction) IPA^(key): /?væ?.i.?.?b?l.?.ti (?.ti)/
• (US, Mary–marry–merry merger) IPA^(key): /?v??.i.?.?b?l.?.ti (?.ti)/

Noun

variability (countable and uncountable, plural variabilities)

1. The state or characteristic of being variable.
2. The degree to which a thing is variable. In data or statistics this is often a measurement of distance from the mean or a description of data range.

Synonyms

• variableness

Derived terms

Translations

Further reading

• variability in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• variability in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.