sass

¹ American  

[sas] / sæs /

noun

Chiefly New England, Midland, and Southern U.S.

1. stewed fruit; fruit sauce.

2. fresh vegetables.

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sass ² American  

[sas] / sæs /

noun

1. impudent or disrespectful back talk.

   Both parents refuse to take any sass from their kids.

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verb (used with object)

sasses, present (3rd person singular) sassed, past participle, past sassing present participle

1. to answer back in an impudent manner.

   Don't sass your mother.

sass British  

/ sæs /

noun

1. insolent or impudent talk or behaviour

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verb

1. to talk or answer back in such a way

Other Word Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have sassed
  perfect
• has sassed
  perfect 3rd person singular
• has been sassing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• have been sassing
  perfect progressive
• is sassing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• are sassing
  progressive
• am sassing
  progressive 1st person singular
• sassing
  participle
• sasses
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had sassed
  perfect
• had been sassing
  perfect progressive
• was sassing
  progressive singular
• were sassing
  progressive plural
• sassed
  participle
• sassed
  simple

Future

• will sass
  simple
• will have sassed
  perfect
• will be sassing
  progressive
• will have been sassing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of sass¹

First recorded in 1765–75; variant of sauce

Origin of sass²

1855–60, back formation from sassy ¹

Explanation

Sass is a smart alecky or impudent reply. Your middle school teacher might warn you that once you get to high school, they won't put up with your sass. Use sass as a noun — or a verb, meaning to talk in a cheeky way: "Don't you dare sass your grandmother!" When someone teases you or speaks in an almost rude manner, they give you sass. This word emerged in the 19th century from the adjective sassy, which began as a variation on saucy, from the idea that words can be zesty, sharp, or spicy.

Example Sentences

For years, football fans have loved her sass and the excitement she exudes as she shouts out her picks, grabbing the anointed team’s helmet and sometimes tossing the opponent’s.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 20, 2026

In her own way – with a mixture of sass, fun and her distinctive cup of ambition – Dolly Parton asks us to do the same.

From Salon • Jan. 19, 2026

With serves touching 150mph and plenty of on-court sass, Shelton announced himself with his run to the New York semi-finals in 2023.

From BBC • Dec. 17, 2025

There was gloss and sass to leaven the tough stuff.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2024

Mom catches my eye with a gleam in hers and says with sass, “Don’t worry—I got this!”

From "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper