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Waffling: meaning, definitions and examples

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waffling

 

[ ˈwɒf.lɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

speaking aimlessly

Waffling refers to speaking or writing in a vague, indecisive manner without getting to the point. It often involves going off on tangents and providing excessive detail that obscures the main idea. People might waffle when they’re unsure of their own thoughts or are trying to avoid a direct answer. This term is commonly used in discussions where clarity is needed but isn’t being provided.

Synonyms

equivocate, ramble, vacillate

Examples of usage

  • During the presentation, he kept waffling instead of addressing the key issues.
  • Stop waffling and give me a straight answer!
  • Her tendency to waffle made it difficult to follow her argument.

Translations

Translations of the word "waffling" in other languages:

🇵🇹 divagação

🇮🇳 बातों में लिपटना

🇩🇪 Schwafeln

🇮🇩 bertele-tele

🇺🇦 багатослів'я

🇵🇱 gawędzić

🇯🇵 ぐずぐずする

🇫🇷 bavardage

🇪🇸 hablar sin parar

🇹🇷 gevezelik yapmak

🇰🇷 헛소리하다

🇸🇦 ثرثرة

🇨🇿 tlachat

🇸🇰 mlátiť prázdne reči

🇨🇳 闲聊

🇸🇮 kramljanje

🇮🇸 mala í kringum

🇰🇿 сөз саптау

🇬🇪 ბლუბლა

🇦🇿 boş-boş danışmaq

🇲🇽 hablar sin sentido

Etymology

The term 'waffle' as a verb dates back to the 16th century and originally meant 'to wave or quiver'. The connection to talking aimlessly or indecisively emerged later, likely drawing upon the idea of 'wobbling' between different ideas without committing to one. The use of 'waffling' to describe indecisive speech became more prevalent in the late 20th century, particularly in political contexts, where it criticized politicians for not taking a clear stance on issues. The word can evoke frustration for listeners trying to glean clear information or opinions. Additionally, the evolution of the word has led to its cemented place in informal conversations and media critiques.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,957, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.