Vocab Builder: Ambivalent

October 21, 2008

The great thing about many English words is that, if you dig a little deeper than the standard dictionary definitions, you can get hints as to the meanings of many other words.

One example is the word "ambivalent." Here's the meaning, as provided by dictionary.com:

uncertainty or fluctuation, esp. when caused by inability to make a choice or by a simultaneous desire to say or do two opposite or conflicting things.

For example, the sentence, "Joe is ambivalent about where we eat Friday night," means that Joe doesn't have a preference or can't make up his mind.

The Prefix "Ambi"

In Latin, "ambi" means "both" or "around." That's where the "desire to say or do two opposite or conflicting things" comes from in "ambivalent."

There are plenty of English words that use the same prefix. Consider "ambidextrous" (can use both hands), "ambiguous" (unclear--having multiple possible meanings), or "ambient" (of the area--what's "around"). Of course, centuries of usage ensure that these words aren't just variations on the same theme, but when you see a word that starts with "ambi," odds are is has something to do with "both" or "around."

The Root "Vale"

"Vale," along with the related roots "val" and "valu," stem from the Latin words "valeo" and "valere." You might guess just from the sound of them that they have positive connotations. They refer to concepts such as "strength" and--you guessed it--"valor."

Based on these roots, you could estimate the meaning of "ambivalent" as "both strengths" or, more specifically, "recognizing both strengths." You wouldn't quite be correct, but you'd be on the right track--which is often enough for Analogies and Antonyms questions.

As with "ambi," there are lots of words that include "vale" or one of its cousins. Consider "value," "valiant," "valedictorian," and "valid." Most specifically, the word "valence" is primarily a chemistry term, but the meaning used in psychology--"The degree of attraction or aversion that an individual feels toward a specific object or event"--provides an even better connection to the meaning of "ambivalent."

A similar word you might know is "equivalent." You know what "valent" and "valence" mean in the context of another word; you can probably make a good guess on "equi" as well. (Think "equilateral" or "equitable.")

With so many opportunities to build your vocabulary, and so much to learn about the English language, I hope you aren't ambivalent about studying for short verbal on the GRE!

Jeff Sackmann is a test-prep tutor based in New York City and the author of Total GRE Math, among other GRE and GMAT resources.

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