washy

American  

[wosh-ee, waw-shee] / ˈwɒʃ i, ˈwɔ ʃi /

adjective

washier, washiest

1. diluted too much; weak.

   washy coffee.

2. pale, thin, or weak, as if from excessive dilution; pallid.

   washy coloring.

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washy British  

/ ˈwɒʃɪ /

adjective

1. overdiluted, watery, or weak

2. lacking intensity or strength

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Other Word Forms

• washily adverb
• washiness noun

Etymology

Origin of washy

First recorded in 1560–70; wash + -y ¹

Example Sentences

"Richard was incredibly keen on transplants and he used to nag me, 'what do you want to do?' and I was a bit wishy washy about it and wouldn't really answer."

From BBC • Sep. 18, 2024

I had to take a softer tone and risk, potentially in the eyes of some people, seeming a bit soft or a bit non-committal and a bit wishy washy.

From Salon • Aug. 13, 2022

She initially deployed it almost like watercolor, setting down layer upon layer of washy pigment to build up dreamy images of black figures commingling with birds, flowers and hearts.

From New York Times • Nov. 19, 2019

And I think that it's really important, because technology is moving so fast, and I feel like values are getting lost and a little wishy washy.

From The Verge • Mar. 3, 2016

Through a tunnel of washy sounds, I hover just above his arms, floating on a current above this chaos.

From "What the Night Sings" by Vesper Stamper