waffle

¹

[ wof-uhl ]

noun

1. 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

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

   a waffle pattern.

waffle

²

[ wof-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, waf·fled, waf·fling.

1. to speak or write equivocally:

   to waffle on an important issue.

verb (used with object)

, waf·fled, waf·fling.

1. to speak or write equivocally about:

   to waffle a campaign promise.

noun

1. waffling language.

waffle

³

[ wof-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, British.

, waf·fled, waf·fling.

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

waffle

¹

/ ˈwɒfəl /

verb

1. introften foll byon to speak or write in a vague and wordy manner

   he waffled on for hours

noun

1. vague and wordy speech or writing

waffle

²

/ ˈwɒfəl /

noun

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

      waffle iron

Derived Forms

• ˈwaffling, adjectivenoun
• ˈwaffly, adjective
• ˈwaffler, noun

Other Words From

• waffler noun
• waffling·ly adverb
• waffly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of waffle¹

First recorded in 1735–45; from Dutch wafel; wafer ( def )

Origin of waffle²

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

Origin of waffle³

First recorded in 1865–70; originally dialect (Northern England); apparently waff “to bark, yelp” (imitative of the sound) + -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of waffle¹

C19: of unknown origin

Origin of waffle²

C19: from Dutch wafel (earlier wæfel ), of Germanic origin; related to Old High German wabo honeycomb

Example Sentences

We don't know exactly what Harris means by giving them a place at her table beyond promising a Cabinet position to a Republican, but I've seen little evidence that she's prepared to offer up corporate tax cuts or waffle on abortion or gay rights any more than Reagan adjusted his agenda in the slightest.

From Salon

Although listeria has been the culprit in many food scares lately — on Friday, TreeHouse Foods issued a recall for hundreds of frozen waffle and pancake products for potential contamination — food safety experts said the string of incidents is merely coincidence.

From Los Angeles Times

This week, Treehouse Foods Inc. announced on the company "is voluntarily recalling certain frozen waffle products ... due to the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes."

From Salon

While the company said "there have been no confirmed reports of illness linked to the recalled products to date," the waffle products that may have been contaminated are sold at major retailers throughout the U.S. and Canada.

From Salon

"I’m quite concerned it’s just rhetoric and waffle and it’ll go another year, two years - and nothing substantial will happen."

From BBC

Related Words

• flip-flop
• vacillate