non-committal

/ˌnɒn kəˈmɪtl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌnɑːn kəˈmɪtl/ (ame, ipa)

non-committal — adjective

1. deliberately vague when answering or reacting, so listeners cannot tell what you

1.形容詞C1
釋義

deliberately vague when answering or reacting, so listeners cannot tell what you really think or which side you support.

例句

Eleni gave a non-committal shrug when her boss asked about the new office.

non-committal + shrug — classic gesture collocation

The CEO gave reporters a few non-committal answers and left the room quickly.

attributive use modifying 'answers / reply'

同義詞
  • evasive

    stronger; suggests actively dodging a question rather than just staying neutral

  • guarded

    emphasises caution and self-protection more than simple vagueness

  • vague

    broader; can describe unclear language for any reason, not only avoiding commitment

  • noncommittal

    American spelling variant of the same word

反義詞
  • decisive

    the opposite stance — gives a clear yes or no

  • forthright

    openly states what one thinks, with no hedging

  • categorical

    leaves no doubt; a firm, unambiguous position

用法筆記

Often describes a reply, answer, response, shrug, smile, or tone — words about how someone communicates. Frequently paired with 'about + topic' when you say what someone is being non-committal on.

常見錯誤

❌She was non-committal to come to the party.
✅She was non-committal about coming to the party.
💡use 'about + -ing / noun', not 'to + infinitive'.
❌His face looked non-committal of any feeling.
✅His face was non-committal, showing no feeling.
💡non-committal is not followed by 'of'; use it on its own or with 'about'.