What does unequivocal mean?
Word: Unequivocal
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Unequivocal means expressed so plainly that nobody could mistake what is meant.
Synonyms: clear-cut, definite
Word origin: Recorded in English from about the 1780s, formed from un- and equivocal, which goes back to late Latin aequivocus.
How do you spell unequivocal?
Syllables: un - e - quiv - o - cal
Tricky part: The vowel after v is o, as in vocal, and the ending is cal, not cle: unequivacal and unequivocle are the usual slips.
Watch out for: unequivacal, unequivocle, unequivocol
Memory tip: You hear only a weak 'uh' after the v, but the letter you write there is a firm, round o; let the firmness of the meaning remind you.
Unequivocal in a sentence
Example 1: The principal's message was unequivocal: no phones in the exam hall.
Example 2: The scientist gave an unequivocal answer when asked whether the water was safe to drink.
Example 3: Our team received unequivocal praise from the judges for its clean, simple design.
Fun Fact
The voc in the middle comes from Latin vox and vocare, voice and call, the same root that gives us vocabulary, advocate and vociferous.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Fusion
Choose the two parts that complete the word:
___equivocal___ 1. un 2. in 3. dis 4. ly 5. ness 6. ity
a) 1 and 4
b) 2 and 4
c) 2 and 5
d) 3 and 6
Show answer
a) 1 and 4. Un with ly gives unequivocally, in a way that leaves no doubt; none of the other offered pairs makes a real word with equivocal.
Word Puzzle
Match the words with their opposites:
1. unequivocal 2. frugal 3. timid a. ambiguous b. bold c. wasteful
a) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
b) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
c) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
d) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
Show answer
a) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b. Unequivocal is the opposite of ambiguous, frugal of wasteful, and timid of bold.
Jumble Tumble
What is the meaning of the word that can be formed from the given letters?
eunacvuoqli
a) unwilling to change an opinion
b) leaving no doubt at all
c) impossible to believe
d) having two possible meanings
Show answer
b) leaving no doubt at all. The eleven letters make unequivocal, which describes something with no doubt in it, the very reverse of having two meanings.
Spellacadabra
Choose the option in which the following letters will fit in the given order:
e, i
a) un__qu__vocal
b) ant__qu__ty
c) fr__qu__ntly
d) in__qu__lity
Show answer
a) un__qu__vocal. The gaps in un__qu__vocal need e then i; inequality ends its pair with a, frequently uses e twice and antiquity i twice.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these is an unequivocal answer?
a) Perhaps, if the weather is fine.
b) Yes, I will be there at six.
c) I might come, but I am not sure.
d) Let me think about it and see.
Show answer
b) Yes, I will be there at six.
2. The coach gave unequivocal support to her players. Her support was ___.
a) hidden from the players
b) given only some of the time
c) mixed with harsh criticism
d) firm and openly stated
Show answer
d) firm and openly stated
