wimp

¹

[ wimp ]

noun

, Informal.

1. a weak, ineffectual, timid person.

verb phrase

1. Informal.
   1. to be or act like a wimp.
   2. to show timidity or cowardice; chicken out.

WIMP

²

[ wimp ]

noun

1. any of a group of weakly interacting elementary particles predicted by various unified field theories, as the W particle and Z-zero particle, that are characterized by relatively large masses.

wimp

¹

/ wɪmp /

noun

1. informal.
   a feeble ineffective person See also wimp out

WIMP

²

/ wɪmp /

acronym for

1. windows, icons, menus ( or mice), pointers: denoting a type of user-friendly screen display used on small computers

   a WIMP system

2. physics weakly interacting massive particle

WIMP

/ wĭmp /

1. Short for weakly interacting massive particle . Any of various hypothetical particles, some predicted by certain theories such as supersymmetry, which interact with other particles by the force of gravity alone. WIMPs are considered by some scientists to be candidates for the dark matter that makes up much of the mass of the universe.

Derived Forms

• ˈwimpish, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of wimp¹

An Americanism dating back to 1915–20; origin uncertain; whimper

Origin of wimp²

1985–90; W(eakly) I(nteracting) M(assive) P(article)

Word History and Origins

Origin of wimp¹

C20: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Instead, the Democrats were losing half the time to a party that should never even have had a shot because voters saw liberals as wimps and weak patriots.

From Salon

Inkling promised it would work if I’d just commit myself and not wimp out.

From Literature

And I’m quite happy I didn’t escalate to a two star, as I am a spice wimp.

From Seattle Times

The prevailing view for the last 40 years has held that dark matter comprises hypothetical, exotic particles called weakly interacting massive particles, or wimps.

From New York Times

Indeed, while Netanyahu likes to brag about how tough he supposedly is, he's proved himself quite the wimp.

From Salon

Related Words

• coward
• crybaby
• pushover