sassy

¹

[sas-ee]

adjective

Informal.

sassier, sassiest 

1. disrespectful or impudent; impertinent; insolent.

   Don't get sassy with me!

2. boldly stylish and smart; pert.

   a sassy red handbag.

sassy

²

[sas-ee]

noun

1. sassy bark.

sassy

¹

/ ˈsæsˌwʊd, ˈsæsɪ /

noun

1. a W African leguminous tree, Erythrophleum guineense, with poisonous bark ( sassy bark ) and hard strong wood

2. the bark or wood of this tree or the alkaloid derived from them, which is sometimes used in medicine

sassy

²

/ ˈsæsɪ /

adjective

1. informal,  insolent, impertinent

Other Word Forms

• sassiness noun
• sassily adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sassy¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–1835; alteration of saucy

Origin of sassy²

First recorded in 1855–60; of uncertain origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of sassy¹

C19: probably from a language of the Kwa family: compare Twi sese plane tree, Ewe sesewu a kind of timber tree

Origin of sassy²

C19: variant of _saucy

Example Sentences

He described Ethan as "sassy" and "boisterous" and that he loved nothing more than a cuddle.

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Her ability to switch from a sassy upbeat dance number to a vulnerable, acoustic solo performance is also impressive.

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Dressing like Marie Antoinette to attend a luncheon at Tiffany’s isn’t sassy fashion sense — it’s a cry for help.

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Even a tiny robot — DG-33, sort of cutesy spin on a trash compactor — has developed some quirks, namely a sassy Southern accent.

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Liz is a compelling creation, at once smart, sassy and wily, and there is fun to be had watching her slickly outwit credulous individuals.

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