What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
vaguity
Example
The vaguity of his explanation left me confused. [vaguity: noun]
Example
Her writing was criticized for its vaguity and lack of specificity. [vaguity: noun]
ambiguity
Example
The ambiguity of his response made it difficult to know what he meant. [ambiguity: noun]
Example
The novel's ending was intentionally left with some ambiguity to allow readers to draw their own conclusions. [ambiguity: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ambiguity is more commonly used than vaguity in everyday language. Ambiguity is a versatile word that can be applied to a wide range of contexts, while vaguity is more specialized and often used in technical or academic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between vaguity and ambiguity?
Both vaguity and ambiguity can be used in formal or informal contexts, but vaguity is more likely to be used in technical or academic writing, while ambiguity is used in a wider range of contexts.