mealy-mouthed

IPA/ˌmiːli ˈmaʊðd/
IPA/ˌmiːli ˈmaʊðd/

mealy-mouthed — adjective

1. describes someone who avoids saying clearly what they truly think or feel, usual

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

describes someone who avoids saying clearly what they truly think or feel, usually because they lack the nerve to be direct and honest.

Example

The politician gave a mealy-mouthed answer when the reporter asked him about the missing funds.

collocation: mealy-mouthed answer

Tanvi gave a mealy-mouthed remark about being 'not entirely happy' instead of admitting her anger.

attributive use before noun: mealy-mouthed remark

Common collocations
  • mealy-mouthed answer
  • mealy-mouthed apology
  • mealy-mouthed response
  • mealy-mouthed remark
  • mealy-mouthed way
Synonyms
  • evasive

    focuses on avoiding direct answers; slightly less harsh than 'mealy-mouthed'

  • equivocal

    more formal; deliberately using unclear language to avoid commitment

  • noncommittal

    refusing to take a side; less negative in tone

  • disingenuous

    suggests intentional dishonesty rather than just lack of courage

Antonyms
  • direct

    says what one means without hiding

  • forthright

    honest and open in expression

  • candid

    truthful even when the truth is uncomfortable

Grammar Patterns

be mealy-mouthed

a mealy-mouthed [noun]

Usage Note

Often used as a criticism of public figures, managers, or anyone who avoids taking a clear position. The word carries a strong negative tone — stronger than 'indirect' or 'vague.'

Common Mistakes

She was mealy-mouthed and said nice things to be polite.
She was diplomatic and said nice things to be polite.
Being mealy-mouthed implies avoiding the truth out of weakness or dishonesty, not out of genuine politeness.
He gave a mealy-mouthed speech that was very long and detailed.
He gave a mealy-mouthed speech that did not clearly state his position.
'mealy-mouthed' is about evasiveness, not length or detail.

Word family

  • mealy-mouthedly
    adverbC2
  • mealy-mouthedness
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe a failure to communicate directly, but they differ in tone and implication. 'Evasive' suggests someone deliberately dodging a question — it is the closest synonym but slightly less harsh. 'Equivocal' is more formal and describes language that is purposely ambiguous ('an equivocal statement'). 'Noncommittal' is the mildest of the group, describing a refusal to take a side without necessarily implying dishonesty ('a noncommittal shrug'). 'Disingenuous' goes further — it implies the speaker knows the truth but pretends not to ('a disingenuous denial'). 'Mealy-mouthed' sits between 'evasive' and 'disingenuous', carrying a rough, blunt disapproval that the others lack. A mealy-mouthed politician is not just avoiding the question; they sound weak and untrustworthy.

evasive ↗equivocal ↗noncommittal ↗disingenuous ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • in a mealy-mouthed way
  • a mealy-mouthed tone

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

The word comes from 'meal' (the soft, powdery flour made by grinding grain) + 'mouthed' ('having a mouth of a certain kind'). The image is of someone whose mouth is full of meal, so their speech is muffled and unclear — they cannot speak plainly. First recorded in English in the 1500s.

First known use

1577

1577, in the meaning defined above