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waffling

waf·fle
W w

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [wof-uh l]
    • /ˈwɒf əl/
    • /ˈwɒf.l̩/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [wof-uh l]
    • /ˈwɒf əl/

Definitions of waffling word

  • verb without object waffling to talk foolishly or without purpose; idle away time talking. 1
  • verb with object waffling to speak or write equivocally about: to waffle a campaign promise. 1
  • noun waffling waffling language. 1
  • noun waffling A repetitive speech or response to a question. 1
  • verb waffling present participle of waffle (To ramble on without a point; to argue a point without substantial evidence or a clear opinion.). 0

Information block about the term

Origin of waffling

First appearance:

before 1890
One of the 20% newest English words
1890-95; orig. dial. (Scots, N England): to wave about, flutter, waver, be hesitant; probably waff + -le

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Waffling

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

waffling popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 90% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
According to our data about 51% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

waffling usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for waffling

adjective waffling

  • palaverous — a conference or discussion.
  • yoyo — a spoollike toy consisting of two thick wooden, plastic, or metal disks connected by a dowel pin in the center to which a string is attached, one end being looped around the player's finger so that the toy can be spun out and reeled in by wrist motion.
  • betwixt and between — in an intermediate, indecisive, or middle position
  • circumlocutory — a roundabout or indirect way of speaking; the use of more words than necessary to express an idea.
  • astraddle — with a leg on either side of something

noun waffling

  • weasel word — a word used to temper the forthrightness of a statement; a word that makes one's views equivocal, misleading, or confusing.

See also

Matching words

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