Can you give me a simple meaning to the word 'ambivalent'?

Question

I went on dictionary.com and searched it but this is what came up...

1. 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.

I don't understand it at all =[[[[[ Can someone please give me a simpler meaning to understand this word and give a good sentance with the word 'ambivalent' in it? Please help, its for homework =]]]]] xX

Answer 1

Ambivalence is a state of having emotions of both positive and negative. Or of having thoughts or actions in contradiction with each other, when they are related to the same object, idea or person (for example, feeling both love and hatred for someone or something).

The term is also commonly used to refer to situations where 'mixed feelings' of a more general sort are experienced or where a person experiences uncertainty or indecisiveness concerning something.

Answer 2

Here are some definitions of arbitrary: 1. Defined by impulse or whim. 2. Based on individual judgment or discretion. 3. Established by a court or judge rather than by a specific law or statute. 4. Not limited by law (also see DESPOTIC). The sentence you gave doesn't quite fit the bill. It would be more accurate to say it's arbitrary when a judge automatically gives everyone convicted of DUI the maximum punishment.

Answer 3

When you can't decide either way, or flip-flopping. Like...

Hey! Here is a really easy question for me. I should answer it!

Oh, but 10 people already did. I can't really add much more to it.

But I'll get 2 points, and a chance at 10 more and thumbs!!

But I have been on here too long. I was just going, and I am at work.

But I know this one. Even cooler, I know this one and didn't hear and learn the word until I was 30.

But this is Homework Help. People are mean there when we give answers to homework....

Answer 4

For future reference if you are unable to grasp the meaning of a word try to define it in its parts for example ambivalent
ambi-
a Latin, prefix meaning “both” and “around”
valent-
a Latin, prefix meaning ability To Combine
You would then have Combining both
Which simply put means that something can be one way or the other.
Understand it like that and work from there.

All The Best.

Answer 5

It means you're not really sure how you feel about a certain issue. It's not quite like thinking "well, it's OK, I could take it or leave it," but more like when you keep going back and forth on something -- one day you want to say/do it, the next day you don't.

EXAMPLE: "I would like to get married and have children, but my fiance is ambivalent about having children."

Answer 6

The definition is telling you that ambivalence is not being ablet o make a decision because you either can't decide, or because there are two things between which you can't choose, so you're not sure which to pick.

Answer 7

there are two major roots to the word. "Ambi" and "valent".

The first is the same root used for ambidextrous meaning the ability to use either hand with equal dexterity.

Valent: the capacity of one person or thing to react with or affect another in some special way, as by attraction or the facilitation of a function or activity.

Answer 8

usually it just means someone who (or a statement which) avoids making a decision and makes it unclear what they want. Example:

Q:" do you want to go to the mall?"

Direct answer: "yea, sure, when do we leave?"

Ambivalent answer: "i dont know, who else is going?"

Answer 9

ambivalent means uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow....
Jane was ambivalent about having children...

Answer 10

The simple def is amibivilence = not really caring.