English Explanatory Dictionary

wishy-washy

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Wavering; lacking in commitment, certainty, support, and (often) clarity; namby-pamby.
  2. Thin or watery.

Pronunciation

/ˈwɪʃ.iˌwɒʃ.i/ /ˈwɪʃ.iˌwɑ.ʃi/ /ˈwɪʃ.iˌwɔ.ʃi/ en-us-wishy-washy.ogg en-au-wishy-washy.ogg

Word forms

wishy-washy wishy-washier more wishy-washy wishy-washiest most wishy-washy

Etymology

Reduplication of washy; more at Wikipedia under ablaut reduplication. The wish portion of the term is explained much more by the ablaut reduplication than by any coincidental semantic appropriateness (such as that wishy-washy people wish that they could have it both ways), although the latter effect may play some nonzero cognitive role in word-finding. Compare also swish, swash, splish, and splash regarding any possible sound symbolism.

Synonyms

vacillating vacillatory watered-down diluted dilute

Related words

wish-wash
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