ambivalent

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Back-formation from ambivalence, from German Ambivalenz, from Latin ambi- (in two ways) + valeō (be strong); equivalent to ambi- +‎ -valent.

Pronunciation[edit]

Adjective[edit]

ambivalent (comparative more ambivalent, superlative most ambivalent)

  1. Simultaneously experiencing or expressing opposing or contradictory feelings, beliefs, or motivations.
  2. Alternately having one opinion or feeling, and then the opposite.
    His feelings toward his parents are ambivalent.

Usage notes[edit]

Ambivalent is commonly used to denote having conflicting emotions instead of lacking emotions. More appropriate alternatives for a lack of emotion would be indifferent and apathetic.

Synonyms[edit]

Related terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

Dutch[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from German ambivalent.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /ˌɑm.bi.vaːˈlɛnt/
  • (file)
  • Hyphenation: am‧bi‧va‧lent
  • Rhymes: -ɛnt

Adjective[edit]

ambivalent (comparative ambivalenter, superlative ambivalentst)

  1. ambivalent (simultaneously experiencing conflicting drives) [from early 20th c.]

Inflection[edit]

Inflection of ambivalent
uninflected ambivalent
inflected ambivalente
comparative ambivalenter
positive comparative superlative
predicative/adverbial ambivalent ambivalenter het ambivalentst
het ambivalentste
indefinite m./f. sing. ambivalente ambivalentere ambivalentste
n. sing. ambivalent ambivalenter ambivalentste
plural ambivalente ambivalentere ambivalentste
definite ambivalente ambivalentere ambivalentste
partitive ambivalents ambivalenters

Derived terms[edit]

Descendants[edit]

  • Indonesian: ambivalen

French[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From German ambivalent, from Latin ambi- + Latin valēns, the latter from the verb valeō.

Pronunciation[edit]

Adjective[edit]

ambivalent (feminine ambivalente, masculine plural ambivalents, feminine plural ambivalentes)

  1. ambivalent
  2. ambiguous, equivocal

Further reading[edit]

German[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From ambi-, ambo and valens (inflected valent-), valeo.

Pronunciation[edit]

Adjective[edit]

ambivalent (strong nominative masculine singular ambivalenter, comparative ambivalenter, superlative am ambivalentesten)

  1. ambivalent
    Seine Gefühle ihr gegenüber sind ambivalent, sowohl positiv als auch negativ.
    His feelings to her are ambivalent, positive as well as negative.

Declension[edit]

Related terms[edit]

Further reading[edit]

Romanian[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From French ambivalent.

Adjective[edit]

ambivalent m or n (feminine singular ambivalentă, masculine plural ambivalenți, feminine and neuter plural ambivalente)

  1. ambivalent

Declension[edit]