Equivocal means unclear, ambiguous, or open to more than one interpretation. When someone gives an equivocal answer, they're being vague on purpose or speaking in a way that could mean different things. If you ask your friend whether they liked your story and they say, “Well, it was interesting,” that's pretty equivocal: they haven't really said yes or no.

The word often suggests deliberate uncertainty. A politician might give an equivocal response to a tough question, carefully avoiding a direct yes or no. A fortune teller's prediction might be equivocal, phrased so it could seem right no matter what happens.

Scientists use this word when test results don't clearly point one way or another. If an experiment produces equivocal results, the data is too mixed or unclear to draw a firm conclusion.

The opposite of equivocal is unequivocal, meaning completely clear and leaving no room for doubt. When your teacher says, “Your essay was excellent,” that's unequivocal praise. When they say, “Your essay showed some creativity,” that's more equivocal: you're left wondering whether they actually liked it or not.