MEALYMOUTHED Meaning and
Definition
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The adjective "mealymouthed" refers to a person's way of speaking or writing that is characterized by being evasive, vague, or excessively cautious in expressing opinions, often to avoid causing offense or displeasure. It describes an individual who is reluctant to speak frankly or directly, choosing instead to use ambiguous or diplomatic language to cloak their true thoughts or feelings. The term "mealymouthed" carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting a lack of authenticity or assertiveness.
A person may be considered mealymouthed if they tend to sugarcoat their statements, dilute their convictions, or equivocate when expressing their beliefs or viewpoints. This behavior can be seen as a form of avoidance, as these individuals typically rely on euphemisms, hedging language, or vague qualifiers to mask their true intentions or opinions.
In a broader context, "mealymouthed" can also describe any form of communication that lacks clarity, directness, or sincerity. This term can be applied to a manner of speech, writing, or even actions that are insincere, hypocritical, or unnecessarily elusive.
Overall, "mealymouthed" implies a certain level of disingenuousness or reluctance to speak openly, highlighting the need to analyze the context and intentions behind a person's words in order to discern their true meaning.
Common Misspellings for MEALYMOUTHED
- nealymouthed
- kealymouthed
- jealymouthed
- mwalymouthed
- msalymouthed
- mdalymouthed
- mralymouthed
- m4alymouthed
- m3alymouthed
- mezlymouthed
- meslymouthed
- mewlymouthed
- meqlymouthed
- meakymouthed
- meapymouthed
- meaoymouthed
- mealtmouthed
- mealgmouthed
- mealhmouthed
- Mallymouthed
Etymology of MEALYMOUTHED
The term "mealymouthed" comes from the combination of two words: "mealy" and "mouthed".
The word "mealy" dates back to the late 16th century and originally referred to something that resembled or contained meal or flour, commonly known as a meal. Over time, it also acquired the figurative meaning of being soft, dry, powdery, or having a granular texture. This derived sense of "mealy" later extended to describe someone's speech or behavior as being insipid, weak, or feeble.
The word "mouthed" simply refers to a person's mouth or the way one uses their mouth to speak. It has been used in various expressions to indicate particular styles or patterns of speaking.
Idioms with the word MEALYMOUTHED
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mealymouthed
The idiom "mealymouthed" refers to someone who is excessively diplomatic, evasive, or ambiguous in speech or writing, usually to avoid controversy or confrontation.
Similar spelling word for MEALYMOUTHED
