waffle

[wof-uh l]Informal.

verb (used without object), waf·fled, waf·fling.

to speak or write equivocally: to waffle on an important issue.

verb (used with object), waf·fled, waf·fling.

to speak or write equivocally about: to waffle a campaign promise.

noun

waffling language.

Origin of waffle

1890–95; orig. dial. (Scots, N England): to wave about, flutter, waver, be hesitant; probably waff + -le

Related formswaf·fler, nounwaf·fling·ly, adverbwaf·fly, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for waffly

waffle

noun

a crisp golden-brown pancake with deep indentations on both sides
(as modifier)waffle iron

Word Origin for waffle

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

waffle

verb

(intr often foll by on) to speak or write in a vague and wordy mannerhe waffled on for hours

noun

vague and wordy speech or writing

Derived Formswaffler, nounwaffling, adjective, nounwaffly, adjective

Word Origin for waffle

C19: of unknown origin

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

Word Origin and History for waffly

waffle

1744, from Dutch wafel "waffle," from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German wafel, from Proto-Germanic *wabila- "web, honeycomb" (cf. Old High German waba "honeycomb," German Wabe), related to Old High German weban, Old English wefan "to weave" (see weave (v.)). Sense of "honeycomb" is preserved in some combinations referring to a weave of cloth. Waffle iron is from 1794.

waffle

1690s, "to yelp, bark," frequentative of waff "to yelp" (1610); possibly of imitative origin. Figurative sense of "talk foolishly" (1701) led to that of "vacillate, equivocate" (1803), originally a Scottish and northern English usage. Related: Waffled; waffling.