Legal Definitions - intrinsic ambiguity

Intrinsic ambiguity is a type of ambiguity that is clearly visible on the face of a document. It arises from the language used in the document itself. This type of ambiguity is also known as patent ambiguity.

• A contract states that a product will be delivered in "two weeks." However, it is unclear whether this means 14 calendar days or 10 business days.
• A lease agreement states that a tenant is responsible for "reasonable wear and tear." However, it is unclear what constitutes "reasonable" wear and tear.

These examples illustrate how the language used in a document can create confusion or uncertainty about its meaning. In both cases, the ambiguity is clearly visible on the face of the document and does not require any additional information or context to be understood.