Make Your Point > Archived Issues > EQUIVOCATE

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connect today's word to others: You can tell from looking at our word equivocate that it literally means "to speak equally." That doesn't sound too bad, does it? But it is: to equivocate is to mislead people by speaking in an unclear way, as if you're giving an equal voice to opposite ideas. No one appreciates an equivocal response. We've had a look before at the word unequivocal: could you define it? What does it mean to give an unequivocal response? make your point with... "EQUIVOCATE" To equivocate is to speak or write in an unclear way, on purpose, to hide what you really mean. Pronunciation: ih KWIV uh kate Part of speech: Verb. It's the intransitive kind: you say that someone equivocates. Other forms: equivocated, equivocating, equivocation(s); equivocal ("ee KWIV uh cool"), equivocally, equivocality How to use it: Talk about people who equivocate, people who continue to equivocate, people who are known for equivocating, people who frustrate everyone with their equivocating, etc. We can equivocate in a statement or response, or we can equivocate on or over or about a topic, or we can just plain equivocate. To use the adjective, talk about equivocal words and terms and language, equivocal answers and responses, equivocal statements and messages and remarks, etc. And you can be equivocal (or unequivocal) in, on, with, over, about, or regarding something. Although it's usually people (and their words) that we call equivocal, we can also get a little abstract and say that data or evidence is equivocal, meaning it seems to support both sides (or neither side) of an issue. examples: The narrator of Les Miserables equivocates, but does it playfully; for example, he tells us how "some man" was seen rescuing a sailor, then reveals the hero's identity only at the end of the little tale. The president drew criticism for his equivocal response to the violence in Virginia: in vague terms, he seemed to condemn both the attacker and his victims. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "equivocate" means when you can explain it without saying "to mince words" or "to hedge." try it out: Fill in the blanks: "If I'm asked for my thoughts on _____, I'm likely to equivocate--(for a particular reason, such as 'I don't want to offend,' or 'I don't want to discuss it')." Example: "If I'm asked for my thoughts on the main dish, which I probably didn't even try, I'm likely to equivocate--I don't want to offend." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Subject Line Redux! You know how I fill the subject line of each Make Your Point email with a little comment about the word? Let's revisit some of those subject lines; they make a good study tool. That is, you'll improve your chances of recalling our words when you need them later if you do this now: look at the little comment from the subject line and use that to recall the word, its meaning, and how it connects to the little comment. (For more on active recall and how you can employ it to strengthen your vocabulary, please go here.) In each issue this month, I'll share a puzzle or other activity that prompts you to recall 5 previous words based on their subject lines. (To make your own activities like these, check out the fun and useful Vocabulary Worksheet Factory.) And I'll share the answers in the following issue. From our previous issue:  Answers: Try this today: review today's word: 1. A close opposite of EQUIVOCAL is A. SLY. B. MENTAL. C. FORTHRIGHT. 2. Recognizing that he couldn't afford to equivocate, he answered, _____ A. "Absolutely." B. "Very possibly." C. "That's unknown at this time." Answers are below. a final word: Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each weekday morning by Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words. From Liesl's blog:    36 ways to study words.    Why we forget words, & how to remember them.    How to use sophisticated words without being awkward. To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. C 2. A