nebbish

[ neb-ish ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a pitifully ineffectual, luckless, and timid person.

Other Words From

• nebbish·y adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nebbish¹

1890–95; < Yiddish nebekh poor, unfortunate, probably < Slavic; compare Czech nebohý poor; spelling with -sh perhaps < Western Yiddish forms of the word

Example Sentences

In early videos, he breaks out Travolta dance moves but finds success playing the nebbish, so sticks with that.

From New York Times

But “Parade” has always been strange anyway, seeking to make commercial entertainment out of a violent history and, because he’s a victim, a hero of a nebbish.

From New York Times

That said, we know that in the future, Saul will hastily exit Albuquerque when he gains infamy in “Breaking Bad” and emerge with as a nebbish named Gene Takavic, managing a Cinnabon in Omaha.

From New York Times

Hyde Pierce delivers the most subdued version of his usual awkward nebbish with the occasional cantankerous quip.

From New York Times

Jordan’s bumbling, nebbish assistant Stan — played by Wayne Knight, whom I knew as the guy who gets smeared by a dilophosaurus in “Jurassic Park,” another childhood favorite — was hysterically funny.

From New York Times