waffle

1
[ wof-uhl ]
See synonyms for waffle 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

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

  • The real names of them sounded that way, soft and sleepy, and warm and sweet, like hot waffles and honey.

    The Belted Seas | Arthur Colton
  • I took her a basketful of fresh eggs, and she promised me some waffles and scrambled eggs.

  • McLean specialized in yeast waffles, having acquired the art of tossing pancakes.

    The Home of the Blizzard | Douglas Mawson
  • Jeff just naturally hated to see good hot waffles going to waste.

    The Escape of Mr. Trimm | Irvin S. Cobb
  • One had but to step to the stream and dip it up, but it was the waffles that put pretty much everything else out of mind.

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