noun
Uncommon
waffle
WOF-uhl
Waffle (noun) means a crisp pastry with a grid pattern, usually eaten hot with syrup or toppings. Example: “We had waffles with maple syrup for breakfast.”
noun
1
A crisp pastry with a grid pattern, usually eaten hot with syrup or toppings.
"We had waffles with maple syrup for breakfast."
verb
1
To talk or write in a vague, long-winded way without getting to the point.
"The politician waffled on for ten minutes without answering the question."
"Stop waffling and just tell me what you decided."
2
To be indecisive; to keep changing your mind.
"He waffled between the two job offers for weeks."
How to use waffle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the breakfast food with a grid pattern, or talking/deciding in a vague, drawn-out way.
When to use it
The "ramble" and "be indecisive" senses are informal, mostly British usage.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
waffle on
waffle about
Belgian waffle
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Word forms
- Plural
- waffles
- Third person singular
- waffles
- Past tense
- waffled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We had _____ with maple syrup for breakfast.
Etymology
The food sense comes from Dutch "wafel", related to "weave" because of its honeycomb grid. The "talk vaguely" sense grew separately in English, describing rambling, unfocused speech.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for waffle
See all rhymes for waffle →Frequently asked questions
What does “waffle” mean?
The word “waffle” means a crisp pastry with a grid pattern, usually eaten hot with syrup or toppings. In plain terms, either the breakfast food with a grid pattern, or talking/deciding in a vague, drawn-out way.
How do you pronounce “waffle”?
“Waffle” is pronounced WOF-uhl (/ˈwɑf.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “waffle” in a sentence?
Here is “waffle” used in a sentence: “We had waffles with maple syrup for breakfast.”
What part of speech is “waffle”?
Depending on how it is used, “waffle” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “waffle” come from?
The word “waffle” comes from Dutch. The food sense comes from Dutch "wafel", related to "weave" because of its honeycomb grid. The "talk vaguely" sense grew separately in English, describing rambling, unfocused speech.
Is “waffle” a common word?
“Waffle” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “waffle” have?
“Waffle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a crisp pastry with a grid pattern, usually eaten hot with syrup or toppings.
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