waffle

1
[ wof-uhl ]
See synonyms for: wafflewaffling on Thesaurus.com

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.

adjective
  1. Also waffled. having a gridlike or indented lattice shape or design: a waffle pattern.

Origin of waffle

1
First recorded in 1735–45; from Dutch wafel; see also wafer

Words Nearby waffle

Other definitions for waffle (2 of 3)

waffle2
[ wof-uhl ]

verb (used without object),waf·fled, waf·fling.
  1. to speak or write equivocally: to waffle on an important issue.

verb (used with object),waf·fled, waf·fling.
  1. to speak or write equivocally about: to waffle a campaign promise.

noun
  1. waffling language.

Origin of waffle

2
First recorded in 1890–95; originally dialect (Scots, Northern England): “to wave about, flutter, waver, be hesitant”; probably waff + -le

Other words from waffle

  • waffler, noun
  • waf·fling·ly, adverb
  • waffly, adjective

Other definitions for waffle (3 of 3)

waffle3
[ wof-uhl ]

verb (used without object),waf·fled, waf·fling.British.
  1. to talk foolishly or without purpose; idle away time talking.

Origin of waffle

3
First recorded in 1865–70; originally dialect (Northern England); apparently waff “to bark, yelp” (imitative of the sound) + -le

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use waffle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for waffle (1 of 2)

waffle1

/ (ˈwɒfəl) /


noun
    • a crisp golden-brown pancake with deep indentations on both sides

    • (as modifier): waffle iron

Origin of waffle

1
C19: from Dutch wafel (earlier wæfel), of Germanic origin; related to Old High German wabo honeycomb

British Dictionary definitions for waffle (2 of 2)

waffle2

/ (ˈwɒfəl) informal, mainly British /


verb
  1. (intr often foll by on) to speak or write in a vague and wordy manner: he waffled on for hours

noun
  1. vague and wordy speech or writing

Origin of waffle

2
C19: of unknown origin

Derived forms of waffle

  • waffler, noun
  • waffling, adjective, noun
  • waffly, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012