noncommittal

[non-kuh-mit-l]

adjective

1. not committing oneself, or not involving committal, to a particular view, course, or the like.

   The senator gave us a noncommittal answer.

   Synonyms: guarded, evasive, equivocal, vague, indefinite

noncommittal

/ ˌnɒnkəˈmɪtəl /

adjective

1. not involving or revealing commitment to any particular opinion or course of action

   a noncommittal reply

2. rare,  having no outstanding quality, meaning, etc

Other Word Forms

• noncommittally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of noncommittal¹

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30; non- + committal

Example Sentences

The headstrong American starlet, cast as Belmondo’s noncommittal lover, is convinced that Godard is working toward a disaster and gets most of her enjoyment from teasing her prickly boss.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Komeito’s leaders said they were unhappy with her noncommittal stance on rewriting political financing rules, one of its key goals.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Observers noted that while the summit offered an opportunity for dialogue, the carefully staged statements, absence of press questions and noncommittal language highlighted the challenges of bridging the U.S. and Russian positions on Ukraine.

Read more on Salon

I’m noncommittal myself on whether Lerman delivers a serviceable performance or a strong one.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Han knows he must exaggerate Min’s daffy naivete to get us to buy into his zeal to live in a small shack with noncommittal Chris.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ambiguous 
• careful 
• cautious 
• circumspect 
• discreet 
• equivocal 
• evasive 
• judicious 
• neutral 
• tactful 
• vague 
• wary