wishy-washy
Americanadjective
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lacking in decisiveness; without strength or character; irresolute.
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washy or watery, as a liquid; thin and weak.
adjective
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lacking in substance, force, colour, etc
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watery; thin
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of wishy-washy
First recorded in 1685–95; gradational compound based on washy
Explanation
If you're wishy-washy, you're not determined or resolute, but instead act in a way that's weak or uncertain. A politician might give wishy-washy answers to difficult questions, so you're left not really knowing where they stand. Use the adjective wishy-washy when you describe something that's either wimpy and ineffective or that wavers back and forth without a resolution. You might march up to a bully, ready to give them a piece of your mind, only to end up saying something wishy-washy like, "Um, maybe you could be a little nicer?" Or you could find yourself being wishy-washy as you choose an ice cream flavor, wavering between vanilla and double-fudge mocha with marshmallows.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It was when it reported on matters of which I had zero awareness: my HRV balance, for example, or my chronotype, albeit a wishy-washy “late morning,” a designation I plan to flip to early bird.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 29, 2026
RFK Jr. then went on Joe Rogan’s podcast and made some wishy-washy remarks about the whole thing, including that glyphosate is “not a good thing to have in your food.”
From Slate ● Mar. 5, 2026
If the wishy-washy, parable-making and haywire everything else won’t cohere into true beauty or credible horror, then camp it is.
From New York Times ● Feb. 22, 2024
Well, given that and Brady’s history of being a bit wishy-washy, it makes sense that some people may wonder if the old man has another season left in him.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 1, 2023
Today, the term Hellenistic retains an unfocused, wishy-washy feel, if not a whiff of outright condescension.
From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
