waffle

¹ American  

[wof-uhl] / ˈwɒf əl /

noun

1. a batter cake with a pattern of deep indentations on each side, formed by the gridlike design on each of the two hinged parts of the metal appliance waffle iron in which the cake is baked.

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adjective

1. Also waffled. having a gridlike or indented lattice shape or design.

   a waffle pattern.

waffle ² American  

[wof-uhl] / ˈwɒf əl /

verb (used without object)

waffled, waffling

1. to speak or write equivocally.

   to waffle on an important issue.

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verb (used with object)

waffled, waffling

1. to speak or write equivocally about.

   to waffle a campaign promise.

noun

1. waffling language.

waffle ³ American  

[wof-uhl] / ˈwɒf əl /

verb (used without object)

British.

waffled, waffling

1. to talk foolishly or without purpose; idle away time talking.

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waffle ¹ British  

/ ˈwɒfəl /

noun

1. 1. a crisp golden-brown pancake with deep indentations on both sides

   2. ( as modifier )

      waffle iron

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waffle ² British  

/ ˈwɒfəl /

verb

1. to speak or write in a vague and wordy manner

   he waffled on for hours

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noun

1. vague and wordy speech or writing

Other Word Forms

• waffler noun
• waffling adjective
• wafflingly adverb
• waffly adjective

Etymology

Origin of waffle¹

First recorded in 1735–45; from Dutch wafel; wafer ( def. )

Origin of waffle²

First recorded in 1890–95; originally dialect ( Scots, Northern England): “to wave about, flutter, waver, be hesitant”; probably waff + -le

Origin of waffle³

First recorded in 1865–70; originally dialect (Northern England); apparently waff “to bark, yelp” (imitative of the sound) + -le

Example Sentences

“I’ve taken mashed potatoes and turned them into waffles, like savory waffles for my kids,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal

“His last delivery was Korean fried chicken: A whole chicken, kimchi fried rice and waffle fries,” Jackson says.

From The Wall Street Journal

I usually get a skillet or an omelet, then combine that with a waffle.

From Los Angeles Times

He can say “waffles” and “chicken nuggets” and probably uses about 20 phrases a day, she says.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I just thought, there’s no way someone would want to smell like ice cream and waffle cones all day,” said Anthony.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• flip-flop
• vacillate