nebbish

American  

[neb-ish] / ˈnɛb ɪʃ /

noun

Slang.

1. a pitifully ineffectual, luckless, and timid person.

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Other Word Forms

• nebbishy
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of nebbish

1890–95; < Yiddish nebekh poor, unfortunate, probably < Slavic; compare Czech nebohý poor; spelling with -sh perhaps < Western Yiddish forms of the word

Explanation

A meek and timid person can be called a nebbish. If you're too scared to speak up when someone cuts in front of you as you wait in line for a movie, your date might call you a nebbish. Nebbish is most often used to describe a man, especially one who is so mild and submissive that other people tend to feel sorry for him. A nebbish isn't capable of accomplishing much or defending himself, so he often finds himself scorned or pitied. Nebbish comes from a Yiddish word, nebekh, "poor thing," and it's been used in English slang since the late 19th century.

Example Sentences

Carell: My instinct was to not make Greg a nebbish, because I didn’t want it to be Walter Mitty.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

In early videos, he breaks out Travolta dance moves but finds success playing the nebbish, so sticks with that.

From New York Times • Jan. 19, 2024

But “Parade” has always been strange anyway, seeking to make commercial entertainment out of a violent history and, because he’s a victim, a hero of a nebbish.

From New York Times • Mar. 16, 2023

And Stanfield ably carries the cast — Cassius Green’s transformation from nebbish nerd to Always-Be-Closin’ salesman is as delightful to watch as it is funny to see.

From The Verge • Jun. 29, 2018

Hugh Sidneys was nondescript, not quite a nebbish, but close.

From Terminal Compromise: computer terrorism: when privacy and freedom are the victims: a novel by Schwartau, Winn