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- DictionaryNam·by-pam·by/ˌnambēˈpambē/
adjective
- 1. lacking energy, strength, or courage; feeble, timid, or ineffectual: "these weren't namby-pamby fights, but brutal affairs where heads hit the sidewalk"
noun
- 1. a timid, oversensitive, or overly fastidious man or boy: derogatory "once we were in the cells we became pathetic namby-pambies"
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Namby-pamby definition: without firm methods or policy; weak or indecisive. See examples of NAMBY-PAMBY used in a sentence.
There are four meanings listed in OED's entry for the word namby-pamby, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. namby-pamby is considered derogatory.
Definition of namby-pamby adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
- Etymology
- Adjective
- Noun
- Verb
From the poem Namby-Pamby (1726) by Henry Carey, a satire on the sentimental pastorals of the poet Ambrose Phillips
namby-pamby (comparative more namby-pamby or namby-pambier, superlative most namby-pamby or namby-pambiest) 1. Insipid and sentimental. 2. Lacking vigor or decisiveness; spineless; wishy-washy. 2.1. 1847 January – 1848 July, William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair[…], London: Bradbury and Evans[…], published 1848, →OCLC: 2.1.1. […] she was still, ...
namby-pamby (plural namby-pambies) 1. One who is insipid, sentimental, or weak. 1.1. 1725, Capt. Gordon [Henry Carey], Namby-Pamby: Or a Pangyric on the New Versification Addressed to A⸺ P⸺ Esq., →OCLC: 1.1.1. Namby Pamby’s doubly Mild, Once a Man, and twice a Child; To his Hanging-Sleeves restor’d Now he foots it like a Lord; Now he Pumps his litt...
namby-pamby (third-person singular simple present namby-pambies, present participle namby-pambying, simple past and past participle namby-pambied) 1. To coddle. 1.1. 2012, Alan Tyers, Who Moved My Stilton?: The Victorian Guide to Getting Ahead in Business: 1.1.1. While we business men of Britain have little time for this sort of namby-pambyingtowar...
4 days ago · adjective. 1. without firm methods or policy; weak or indecisive. namby-pamby handling of juvenile offenders. 2. lacking in character, directness, or moral or emotional strength. namby-pamby writing. 3. weakly sentimental, pretentious, or affected; insipid.
What does the verb namby-pamby mean? There is one meaning in OED's entry for the verb namby-pamby . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.
A complete guide to the word "NAMBY-PAMBY": definitions, pronunciations, synonyms, grammar insights, collocations, examples, and translations.
