Dictionary.com

waffle

1
[ wof-uhl ]
/ ˌwɒf əl /
See synonyms for: waffle / waffling on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

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

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Origin of waffle

1
First recorded in 1735–45, waffle is from the Dutch word wafel

Definition for waffle (2 of 3)

waffle2
[ wof-uhl ]
/ ˈwɒf əl /

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

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

OTHER WORDS FROM waffle

waffler, nounwaf·fling·ly, adverbwaffly, adjective

Definition for waffle (3 of 3)

waffle3
[ wof-uhl ]
/ ˈwɒf əl /

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

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

Origin of waffle

3
First recorded in 1695–1705; originally dialect (N England); apparently waff “to bark, yelp” (imitative of the sound) + -le
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to waffle

vacillate, flip-flop, equivocate, change, yo-yo, change one's mind

Example sentences from the Web for waffle

British Dictionary definitions for waffle (1 of 2)

waffle1
/ (ˈwɒfəl) /

noun

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

Word Origin for waffle

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

(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 forms of waffle

waffler, 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