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

“Kiss of the Spider Woman” is about a lot of things: Valentin reconnecting with his emotions, Luis discovering that he’s more than a self-described trivial sissy.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 9, 2025

“You worried so much about me, but look sissy, I didn’t turn out too bad,” Barnes said as she displayed the black gown she was just donned with.

From Washington Times • Feb. 20, 2021

“I was never ashamed of being a sissy, and I wore the bullying as a badge of honor,” he writes.

From Washington Post • Nov. 1, 2019

“Here in front of you? I might be the biggest sissy you’ve ever had on the show.”

From The Verge • Oct. 31, 2019

I’m afraid he’ll laugh at me, he’ll despise me for being a sissy about a bunch of girls, for making a fuss about nothing.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood