I disagree with this definition of ambivalent.
I was taught that it meant that you had strong, opposing feelings about something. The definition below states as much, but then it splits from my understanding of the term by saying that it comes from caring little about either.
As mothers, we know what ambivalence means when we see our children hit a milestone as they enter adulthood. We can be both happy for them, and sad because it means that they will soon leave the nest. Now, that's how I understand what ambivalence means and it has nothing to do about caring little about either.
ambivalent
If you can't decide how you feel about something, declare yourself ambivalent about it.
Choose Your Words
ambiguous / ambivalent
Something ambiguous is unclear or vague, like the end of a short story that leaves you scratching your head. But if you're ambivalent about something, you can take it or leave it. Whatever.
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Ambivalent means "having mixed feelings about something." A Swiss psychologist named Eugen Bleuler coined the German word Ambivalenz in the early twentieth century, and it was soon imported into English. Bleuler combined the Latin prefix ambi-, meaning "both," with valentia, "strength." So etymologically speaking, if you're ambivalent you're being pulled by two equally strong things — but in practice, ambivalence often arises from caring very little either way. You might feel ambivalent about your lunch options if you have to choose between a murky stew and flavorless tofu.
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But in reality it's usage is just the opposite. No strong feeling either way. But I really don't care either way. 
