wuss

[woo s]

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noun Slang.

a weakling; wimp.

Origin of wuss

1980–85; perhaps blend of wimp and puss¹

Related formswuss·y, adjective, wuss·i·er, wuss·i·est.

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

Related Words for wussy

mean-spirited, coward, crybaby, pushover, chicken, yellow, deserter, quitter, wimp, sissy, namby-pamby, caitiff, baby, pantywaist, weakling, pansy, wuss, jellyfish, milksop, loser

British Dictionary definitions for wussy

wuss

woose wussy (ˈwʊsɪ)

noun plural wusses or wussies

slang, mainly US a feeble or effeminate person

Word Origin for wuss

C20: perhaps from pussy 1 (cat)

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 wussy

1960s, probably an alteration of pussy (n.2). DAS suggests shortened from hypothetical pussy-wussy, reduplicated form of pussy (n.1).

wuss

1982, abbreviated from wussy.

Mike Damone: You are a wuss: part wimp, and part pussy
["Fast Times at Ridgemont High" script, 1982]