First Known Use: 1900
Dictionary
weasel word
noun
: a word used in order to avoid being clear or direct
Full Definition of WEASEL WORD
: a word used in order to evade or retreat from a direct or forthright statement or position
See weasel word defined for English-language learners
See weasel word defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of WEASEL WORD
from the weasel's reputed habit of sucking the contents out of an egg while leaving the shell superficially intact
Rhymes with WEASEL WORD
afterword, bowerbird, butcher-bird, cedarbird, dickey bird, dirty word, dolly bird, early bird, fighting word, frigate bird, gallows bird, hummingbird, in a word, lemon curd, mockingbird, ovenbird, riflebird, tailorbird, thunderbird, undergird, wading bird, wattlebird, weaverbird, whirlybird, word for word
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: weasel–wordedPrevious Word in the Dictionary: weasel spiderAll Words Near: weasel word
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up weasel word? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).