English Explanatory Dictionary

namby-pamby

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Insipid and sentimental.
  2. Lacking vigor or decisiveness; spineless; wishy-washy.
noun
  1. One who is insipid, sentimental, or weak.
  2. Talk or writing which is weakly sentimental or affectedly pretty.
verb
  1. To coddle.

Pronunciation

en-au-namby-pamby.ogg

Word forms

namby-pamby more namby-pamby namby-pambier most namby-pamby namby-pambiest mamby-pamby namby-pambies namby-pambying namby-pambied

Etymology

From the poem Namby-Pamby (1726) by Henry Carey, a satire on the sentimental pastorals of the poet Ambrose Phillips.

Synonyms

namby nestle-cock sissy softy

Derived words

namby pamby namby-pambiness namby-pambyism namby-pambical
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