wishy-washy

[ wish-ee-wosh-ee, -waw-shee ]

adjective

1. lacking in decisiveness; without strength or character; irresolute.
2. washy or watery, as a liquid; thin and weak.

wishy-washy

/ ˈwɪʃɪˌwɒʃɪ /

adjective

1. lacking in substance, force, colour, etc
2. watery; thin

Derived Forms

• ˈwishy-ˌwashily, adverb
• ˈwishy-ˌwashiness, noun

Other Words From

• wishy-washi·ly adverb
• wishy-washi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of wishy-washy¹

First recorded in 1685–95; gradational compound based on washy

Example Sentences

But his Republican party in Washington considers this conservative too wishy-washy to be prime GOP material.

From The Daily Beast

That these terms happen, however, to be such wishy-washy ones—"cute, interesting, zany"—seems depressing.

From The Daily Beast

Were his wishy-washy answers in the debate merely an attempt to fool the center into voting for an Islamist candidate?

From The Daily Beast

"The idea seemed really wishy-washy at first, but as I got more religious it began to make sense," he says.

From The Daily Beast

A man with a feeble, wishy-washy expression holds by each hand a fierce, but subjugated tiger.

From Project Gutenberg

Utterly opposed to any such wishy-washy settlement of our national difficulties, I vote "no."

From Project Gutenberg

None of the wishy-washy tittle-tattle interested me, in fact.

From Project Gutenberg

Annie is rather sentimental and wishy-washy in her compositions, willowy maidens in the moonlight with garlands of flowers.

From Project Gutenberg

Its views are Liberal-Conservative, and wishy-washy; its principal concern to remain in office.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• indecisive