suss

[suhs]

verb (used with object)

Chiefly British Slang. to investigate or figure out (usually followed by out).

Origin of suss

First recorded in 1965–70; earlier, to suspect, a suspect, shortening of suspect

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for suss

Contemporary Examples of suss

“It has so much to do with Amy and her reaction to Ben,” he says, attempting to suss out the surprising turn of events.
Adam Scott on ‘A.C.O.D.,’ Love & Divorce
Kevin Fallon
October 5, 2013
One would think that a media communications expert might be able to suss that out on her own.
Anti-Semitism—Bad for Palestinians, Too
Emily L. Hauser
October 5, 2012
If you want to suss out the cleanliness and hygiene level of any hotel, take a quick look behind furniture and drapes.
Gordon Ramsay: 7 Hotel Horrors!
Gordon Ramsay
August 9, 2012

Historical Examples of suss

Presently there came a sound from the stove, "Suss—suss—suss!"
Twenty-Four Unusual Stories for Boys and Girls
Anna Cogswell Tyler

British Dictionary definitions for suss

suss

verb (tr) slang

(often foll by out) to attempt to work out (a situation, person's character, etc), esp using one's intuition

Also: sus to become aware of; suspect (esp in the phrase suss it)

noun

sharpness of mind; social astuteness

Word Origin for suss

C20: shortened from suspect

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for suss

"to figure out, investigate and discover," 1966, earlier "to suspect" (1953, police jargon), a slang shortening of suspect (v.).