Amb

Amb is a morpheme best known in English as the initial segment of the Latin-derived prefix ambi-, which means "both" or "on both sides" and can also convey a sense of "around." In modern English, ambi- is the productive form used to create numerous words, while amb by itself is not a stand-alone word in standard usage.

The prefix ambi- appears in a wide range of terms across fields such as language, science, and everyday speech. Common examples include ambidextrous (able to use both hands), ambivalent (holding two or more opposing feelings or attitudes), ambiguous (open to more than one interpretation), and ambient (relating to the surrounding environment). Other related terms include ambi- combinations like ambivalence, ambient, ambiance, ambulation, and ambulatory. The root often signals duality, dual nature, or proximity around something, depending on the word.

In usage, ambi- attaches to nouns, adjectives, and occasionally verbs to form new meanings that emphasize duality or surrounding influence. The prefix is of Latin origin and has been integrated into English vocabulary over many centuries. Because amb itself is not a standalone English word, most references treat amb as a linguistic root rather than a terminal term.

See also: ambi- (prefix); ambigram; ambiance. In specialized texts, the sequence AMB may also appear as an acronym for various organizations or terms, but such uses depend on context and are not related to the linguistic prefix discussed here.