English Word of the Day: WAFFLE

You might already know this word as a noun, it means a type of cake with squares, like this: that’s a waffle, we usually eat waffles for breakfast.

But the action of waffling means you’re unable to make a decision, you keep going back and forth, first thinking “I’m going to do this” and then thinking “I’m going to do that.” You’re not firm in your decision, you’re going one way and then the other way. That’s what it means to waffle.

Maybe you don’t like your job and you’re considering quitting. After a hard week, you think “I’m DEFINITELY quitting!” but then later you think “Hmm, but I don’t really have much savings, so how long can I survive without a salary?” then another day you think, “But I really want to take my career in a different direction, and I can’t do that at this job” and then later you think, “Actually this job’s not so bad, at least I’m comfortable here.” This action of going back and forth and being unable to commit to a decision is waffling.

Sometimes leaders and politicians and famous people waffle in the viewpoints they present to the public. Like if someone asks a politician if he supports a particular cause, and in one interview he sort of implies he supports it, but then in an article he expresses the opposite point of view, and then he votes in favor of the cause, but later he does something that goes against it. This could also be described as waffling because he’s not committing firmly to one side or one opinion.

When you make decisions, do you tend to waffle, or do you tend to decide quickly and firmly? Do you know anyone who waffles a lot in their choices?

I hope you learned something new today – this is a word a lot of English learners don’t know, but it’s a fun and descriptive verb for that action of going back and forth in a decision. Bye for now – I’ll talk to you next time.

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[amitsaraswat]

This word of the day is impeccable to describe one of my personality traits. I have been waffling to buy Espressoenglish course for two years. It proves that I'm not tenacious for learning English.

[kirongkajingimcoloursoflif]

I don't know why I waffle too much in taking decisions on any matter

[榎木康朗]

Onen of my students has been waffling whether she should continue to study English hard because recently her position has been changed and English ability does not have as much consequence for her promotion as before.

[woobearrx]

hi! great and informative video! i was just wondering if you can use waffle as an adjective?

[jackcrosser]

No body knows why  secuity council is still waffling towards our case in syria and never has reached to decisive resolution since ten years .

[parisanoorani]

i love the word waffle - i know i am waffling sometimes :)

[RockDove]

This isn't what it means in England.

[mohammadazzam]

Can I use ( on the fence) instead of waffle?

[ademariomario]

Hi of the inglech tahank you do you decison of Forever his humayn tanhk Will i's women's the educacion libaril ok day may Dad may brhote good yes thank may FAHATER Lord Revelation

[sampatpratap]

I always waffle while taking an important decision in life.

[JennyMayolinEnglish]

In British English, we use 'waffle' or 'waffle on' to mean 'to talk aimlessly'. For example, "I'm sorry, I've been waffling on for 10 minutes. Let's get to the point of what I wanted to say." It's a funny word :)

[ayushtiwari]

My best friend always waffles whether she needs to get married to a person whom she loves to death or to whom that her father thinks that she should get married to him as he thinks if they get married both of them will like a match made in heaven .

[jorgevalenzuelasandoval]

Hi Shayna, this verb is new for me, but you should include the past and continuos tenses to wrap it up, in this case I don't know if it's regular or not. Thank you, I've been you follower for years.

[nacciomart]

Hi Shayna, how's it going?
My sister is always waffling with every situation in her life.
I've been waffling if waffles are healthy for breakfast, what do you think Shayna?

[veenanarwani]

When one has only two options to survive in life and both the options are horrible to follow, or more or less equally terrible, then in this situation one can do nothing but waffle.

[eduardonassaro]

Tks for the lesson! I waffle about whether is good or bad being alone, without someone by my side.

[shantharymound]

Few simple sentences using this new word might be easier for the learner to understand.

[hwangdalmi]

I always tend to waffle when I go shopping.