I. waf ‧ fle 1 /ˈwɒf ə l $ ˈwɑː-/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1700-1800 ; Language: Dutch ; Origin: wafel ]
1 . [countable] a flat cake, marked with a pattern of deep squares
2 . [uncountable] British English informal talk or writing that uses a lot of words but says nothing important
II. waffle 2 BrE AmE verb [intransitive] informal
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Origin: woff 'to bark' (17-19 centuries) , from the sound ]
1 . British English ( also waffle on ) to talk or write using a lot of words but without saying anything important:
Stop waffling and get to the point.
2 . American English informal to be unable to decide what action to take:
He cannot continue to waffle on this issue.
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THESAURUS
▪ talk to use words to communicate with someone about something:
I need to talk to you about your work.
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She always enjoyed talking to Jim.
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Can we talk?
▪ speak to talk. Speak is a little more formal than talk . You often use it when saying that someone speaks in a particular way, or that you will speak to someone in order to try to get something done. You only use speak when saying that someone speaks a language:
He spoke with confidence and authority.
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She was speaking quietly so she didn’t disturb anyone.
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I’d like to speak to the manager.
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Do you speak German?
▪ go on/drone on/ramble to talk too much or for too long about something, in a way that makes people bored:
He went on about how great the team was.
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I’d better stop rambling and let you get on with your work.
▪ waffle /ˈwɒf ə l $ ˈwɑː-/ British English disapproving informal to talk using a lot of words but without saying anything important:
I wish he would stop waffling and get to the point!
▪ prattle on disapproving informal to talk continuously about silly and unimportant things:
She prattled on about her boyfriend for the entire journey.
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What’s he prattling on about now?