noncommittal

adjective

non·​com·​mit·​tal ˌnän-kə-ˈmi-tᵊl 

1

: giving no clear indication of attitude or feeling

a noncommittal reply

He was noncommittal about how the money would be spent.

2

: having no clear or distinctive character

a noncommittal word which might be used of anything from babies to furnaces

—J. C. Swaim

noncommittally

ˌnän-kə-ˈmi-tᵊl-ē 

adverb

Synonyms

• beige
• characterless
• faceless
• featureless
• indistinctive
• neutral
• nondescript
• vanilla

Examples of noncommittal in a Sentence

She would only give noncommittal answers about her plans.

The president remained noncommittal, saying only that all options would be considered.

Recent Examples on the Web

Mendoza was noncommittal when asked if Montas, who is ahead of Manaea, would need another rehab outing after his next one. —Will Sammon, New York Times, 12 June 2025

Rodgers was noncommittal about his future as the final weeks of the season, and potentially his career, approached. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 5 June 2025

Last December, Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson was noncommittal about remaining with the Jets long-term. —Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 21 May 2025

As for the future facial hair plans, Cease remains noncommittal. —Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for noncommittal

• prehospital
• acquittal
• belittle
• committal
• hospital
• submittal
• transmittal
• brittle
• kittel
• kittle
• little
• spital

Kids Definition

noncommittal

adjective

non·​com·​mit·​tal ˌnän-kə-ˈmit-ᵊl 

: not telling or showing what a person thinks or has decided

a noncommittal answer

noncommittally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb