sissy

[ sis-ee ]

noun

, plural sis·sies.

1. Disparaging and Offensive. an effeminate boy or man.
2. a timid or cowardly person.
3. a sister, especially a younger sister.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a sissy.

sissy

/ ˈsɪsɪ /

noun

1. an effeminate, weak, or cowardly boy or man

adjective

1. effeminate, weak, or cowardly Also (informal or dialect)sissifiedcissified

Other Words From

• sissy·ish adjective
• sissi·ness sissy·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sissy¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; sis + -y ²

Example Sentences

The next year, China banned “sissy men and other abnormal aesthetics” from broadcast television.

From Los Angeles Times

In high school, I was known as the sissy kid with liberal politics who loved Jesus.

From Los Angeles Times

It made us sissies and tomboys, villains and monsters, tragic victims and sexless bystanders for decades before the relatively recent, hard-won introduction of complex, multilayered queer leads.

From Los Angeles Times

“It shows that ‘sissy’ can come in any form.

From Los Angeles Times

Backstage in the green room Ferrell’s band, whose members have taken to calling her “sissy” — the Southernism for “sister” — mugged for the camera, taking selfies to send back home to Nashville.

From Los Angeles Times