noncommittal

[ non-kuh-mit-l ]

adjective

1. not committing oneself, or not involving committal, to a particular view, course, or the like:

   The senator gave us a noncommittal answer.

   Synonyms: guarded, evasive, equivocal, vague, indefinite

noncommittal

/ ˌnɒnkəˈmɪtəl /

adjective

1. not involving or revealing commitment to any particular opinion or course of action

   a noncommittal reply

2. rare.
   having no outstanding quality, meaning, etc

Other Words From

• noncom·mittal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of noncommittal¹

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30; non- + committal

Example Sentences

Most members of the ad hoc Assembly Petroleum and Gasoline Supply Committee were noncommittal on the storage issue.

From Los Angeles Times

Newsom was noncommittal when pressed about whether he planned to campaign against Proposition 36, a controversial anti-crime measure on the November ballot.

From Los Angeles Times

Frank remained noncommittal about whether Leonard would be ready.

From Los Angeles Times

GOP gubernatorial candidate Dave Reichert, who was also scheduled to appear at the conference, issued a similarly noncommittal statement last week, calling it a “sad day for the nation that merits reflection not rancor.”

From Seattle Times

I was disappointed, and my mom and I commiserated over the possibility that I had met another noncommittal dude.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ambiguous
• careful
• cautious
• circumspect
• discreet
• equivocal
• evasive
• judicious
• neutral
• tactful
• vague
• wary