waffle

1 of 3

noun (1)

waf·​fle ˈwä-fəl 

ˈwȯ-

: a crisp cake of batter baked in a waffle iron

waffle

2 of 3

verb

waffled; waffling ˈwä-f(ə-)liŋ 

ˈwȯ-

intransitive verb

1

: equivocate, vacillate

waffled on the important issues

also : yo-yo, flip-flop

2

: to talk or write foolishly : blather

can waffle … tiresomely off the point

—The Times Literary Supplement (London)

waffler

ˈwä-f(ə-)lər 

ˈwȯ-

noun

waffle

3 of 3

noun (2)

: empty or pretentious words : tripe

Synonyms

Verb

• equivocate
• fudge
• hedge
• pussyfoot
• tergiversate
• weasel

Examples of waffle in a Sentence

Verb

she waffled when asked what she thought of her sister's new boyfriend

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Find it on Amazon This Unisex Waffle Robe Is Soft and Gentle on the Skin This ultra-long unisex waffle robe is ultra-cozy and gentle on the skin. —Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 14 June 2024

Whether served in a crisp waffle cone or in a chilled bowl, each spoonful promises a delightful blend of sweet, tangy, and creamy flavors that capture the essence of a beloved dessert in a refreshing new form. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 10 June 2024

Verb

In Asos’s case, the memo clamping down on employees waffling their way through flexible work policies comes at a crucial time as the company tries to overhaul its business amid deep losses. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Europe, 20 June 2024

After waffling over whether the Fed would ease monetary policy at all in 2024, traders are now betting on two to three cuts, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. —Krystal Hur, CNN, 18 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Dutch wafel, from Middle Dutch wafele; akin to Old High German waba honeycomb, Old English wefan to weave

Verb

frequentative of obsolete woff to yelp, of imitative origin

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1744, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1888, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing waffle

• Belgian waffle
• waffle iron

Kids Definition

waffle

1 of 2 noun

waf·​fle

ˈwäf-əl,

ˈwȯf-

: a crisp cake with an indented crust made by cooking batter in a waffle iron

waffle

2 of 2 verb

waffled; waffling

1

: to be unable or unwilling to be clear about choices or opinions

also : to make a sudden reversal (as of policy)

2

British : to talk or write a lot without saying anything important