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An ambivert is someone said to have a personality type that is in between that of an introvert (shy and reserved) and an extrovert (outgoing).

Ambivert, introvert, and extrovert are all words used in the study, classification, and popular discussion of personality types. Extroverts are said to focus on the outside world, being social and talkative, while introverts are the opposite—more focused on their own thoughts.

Example: As much as I love going out with friends, being an ambivert means that sometimes I’d just rather stay home and have some alone time.

You’ve probably taken an online quiz to find out your personality type, but have you stopped to think about where the result came from? The root of ambivert is vert, from the Latin vertere, meaning “to turn.” So, introverts turn inward. Extroverts turn outward. And ambiverts can turn both ways: the prefix ambi- means “both.” You’ve seen it in ambidextrous (“able to use both hands”) and ambiguous (“having several possible meanings”). The first record of ambivert in the English language comes around the 1920s.

Most theories about personality types agree that a person usually has some elements of introversion and some elements of extroversion. However, many of these theories state that one of those tends to be stronger. The term ambivert, though, implies that a person can act or feel differently at different times, without being primarily outgoing or primarily reserved.

Due to the popularity of personality tests and discussion about personality types, you’ll see ambivert frequently used in popular psychology articles, though perhaps less commonly than introvert and extrovert. But that doesn’t mean ambiverts aren’t common.

What are some other forms of ambivert?

• ambiversion

What are some words that share a root or word element with ambivert?

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• extrovert
• introvert
• ambidextrous
• ambiguous
• ambivalent

What are some words that often get used in discussing ambivert?

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• personality
• trait
• outgoing
• reserved
• psychology

Many people use ambivert when discussing how they sometimes like to socialize and sometimes would rather keep to themselves. Sound familiar?

Q: are you an introvert, extrovert or an ambivert?

i am probably an introvert or an ambivert.. i prefer to be alone most of the time but sometimes it's nice to have company

— nea⁷ 📌 GA (@yourlostjams)

Also this goes out to my ambivert babies who love going out but also love staying in. It is OK to do both xxx

— Niamh Bennett (@niamh_bennett29)

I’m an ambivert, meaning I’m introverted AND extroverted.

…it’s just a lot easier to be alone than it is to plan stuff with people so I mostly just do that

— Brody Harlan (@BrodyHarlan)

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Do you think you are an ambivert? If so, explain why. If not, explain what you think it means to be one.