equivocal
equivo·cal/ɪˈkwɪvək(ə)l/adjective, noun
equivocal is spelled E-Q-U-I-V-O-C-A-L: 9 letters and 2 syllables (equivo·cal). It appears about once in every 4 million words in written English, the 61,481st most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As an adjective, equivocal means “Having two or more equally applicable meanings; capable of double or multiple interpretation” (English Wiktionary, September 2026).
How many letters and syllables are in equivocal?
| Letters | 9: E-Q-U-I-V-O-C-A-L |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2: equivo·cal |
| In writing | about once in every 4 million words; the 61,481st most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is equivocal?
Equivocal appears about once in every 4 million words in written English, the 61,481st most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce equivocal?
- UK /əˈkwɪvəkəl/
- US /ɪˈkwɪvək(ə)l/
Equivocal has 2 syllables, split equivo·cal in writing.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-equivocal.wav, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Forms of equivocal
- more equivocal comparative
- most equivocal superlative
- equivocals plural
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does equivocal mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
adjective
- 1
Having two or more equally applicable meanings; capable of double or multiple interpretation.
equivocal words
- 2
Capable of being ascribed to different motives, or of signifying opposite feelings, purposes, or characters; deserving to be suspected.
His actions are equivocal.
- 3
Uncertain, as an indication or sign.
noun
- 1
A word or expression capable of different meanings; an ambiguous term.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Equivocal in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| French | équivoque, ambigu, incertain , douteux, indéterminé |
| German | doppeldeutig, mehrdeutig , fragwürdig, zweideutig, zweifelhaft |
| Portuguese | equívoco |
| Spanish | equívoco |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does equivocal come from?
From Late Latin aequivocus + -al, from aequus + vocō. By surface analysis, equi- + vocal.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).