wishy-washy
Americanadjective
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lacking in decisiveness; without strength or character; irresolute.
-
washy or watery, as a liquid; thin and weak.
adjective
-
lacking in substance, force, colour, etc
-
watery; thin
Other Word Forms
- wishy-washily adverb
- wishy-washiness noun
Etymology
Origin of wishy-washy
First recorded in 1685–95; gradational compound based on washy
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's The Media Show, Dame Caroline Dinenage - who described Shah's evidence to the committee this week as "wishy-washy" - advised against further changes at the top of the corporation.
From BBC
The head of the culture select committee has questioned whether the BBC board is in "safe hands" under its chair Samir Shah, describing his evidence to MPs on Monday as "wishy-washy".
From BBC
She gives every impression she might regard that nickname as a bit wishy-washy, a bit namby-pamby.
From BBC
She believes wellness culture has become culty in its own right, with wishy-washy aspects from different belief systems amalgamated into social media-friendly idioms.
From Los Angeles Times
On the stand, however, it sounds more like Sandra’s on trial for being wishy-washy, frustrated and occasionally callous.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
