sissy

noun

sis·​sy ˈsi-sē How to pronounce sissy (audio)
plural sissies
Synonyms of sissynext
informal + disparaging
: an effeminate man or boy
also : a timid, weak, or cowardly person
I would have to go at Walter with the violence necessary to make it a good fight or be thought a sissy by my friends. — Russell Baker
sissy adjective
Back in the day, the brothers were saying, "Golf? I'm not playing no golf. I'm going to play basketball, football. Golf is a sissy sport." — Stuart Scott
Although the civilian model offers sissy comforts like climate control and padded seats, the Hummer meets the same Army specifications as its battle-scarred forebear. — Amy Gamerman

Synonyms

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Examples of sissy in a Sentence

The other kids laughed at him and called him a sissy because he didn't like sports. the candidate touts his wartime service as evidence that he is not a sissy
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Nikki has bikes for two personalities—a cream-and-green-colored ’86 Heritage with an FLH front end and knucklebars; and an ’89 Springer Softail with a tiny tank, ape-hangers, a sissy-bar, and turned-up pipes, painted white with flames. — Dean Kuipers, SPIN, 8 Jan. 2023 Her little sister’s third birthday, then my 27th birthday, our Christmas Eve tradition, the first time in seven years of not seeing or hearing the excitement opening gifts from Santa and sissy. — Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 8 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

sis

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sissy was in 1879

Rhymes for sissy

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sissy
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Cite this Entry

“Sissy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sissy. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

sissy

noun
sis·​sy ˈsis-ē How to pronounce sissy (audio)
plural sissies
informal, disparaging
1
: a man or boy who appears feminine or behaves in a feminine manner
2
: a fearful or cowardly person
sissy adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on sissy

Nglish: Translation of sissy for Spanish Speakers

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