sissy

American  

[sis-ee] / ˈsɪs i /

noun

plural

sissies

1. Disparaging and Offensive. an effeminate boy or man.

2. a timid or cowardly person.

3. a sister, especially a younger sister.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a sissy.

sissy British  

/ ˈsɪsɪ /

noun

1. an effeminate, weak, or cowardly boy or man

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adjective

1. Also (informal or dialect): sissified.   cissified.  effeminate, weak, or cowardly

Other Word Forms

• sissiness noun
• sissyish adjective
• sissyness noun

Etymology

Origin of sissy

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; sis + -y ²

Example Sentences

Everyone contributed what money they could to save George’s business from Mr. Potter, an unsentimental tycoon who makes the toughest takeover bankers and lawyers seem like sissies.

From Barron's

She concluded her post: “Godspeed, my sissy Dolly. We all love you!”

From Los Angeles Times

In high school, I was known as the sissy kid with liberal politics who loved Jesus.

From Los Angeles Times

Backstage in the green room Ferrell’s band, whose members have taken to calling her “sissy” — the Southernism for “sister” — mugged for the camera, taking selfies to send back home to Nashville.

From Los Angeles Times

“As Jimmy said a few months ago, ‘Growing old is not for sissies.’

From Los Angeles Times