suss

[ suhs ]

verb (used with object)

1. Chiefly British Slang. to investigate or figure out (usually followed by out ).

suss

/ sʌs /

verb

1. often foll by out to attempt to work out (a situation, person's character, etc), esp using one's intuition
2. Alsosus to become aware of; suspect (esp in the phrase suss it )

noun

1. sharpness of mind; social astuteness

Word History and Origins

Origin of suss¹

First recorded in 1965–70; earlier, to suspect, a suspect, shortening of suspect

Word History and Origins

Origin of suss¹

C20: shortened from suspect

Example Sentences

One-on-one meetings commence with a few minutes of chat about general topics, so Prather can suss out students’ states of mind and make sure they are okay.

From MIT Technology Review

In theory, the women are trying to suss out the good men from the bad ones.

From Time

Developers need time to suss out the nuances of new hardware.

From Popular-Science

VOSD hosts Scott Lewis, Andrew Keatts and Sara Libby — along with a lot of other folks in the city — have been digging into it to suss out where the mayor stands on police and other major city services.

From Voice of San Diego

What’s hard to suss out of those numbers is a significant trend reshaping party identification.

From Washington Post

“It has so much to do with Amy and her reaction to Ben,” he says, attempting to suss out the surprising turn of events.

From The Daily Beast

One would think that a media communications expert might be able to suss that out on her own.

From The Daily Beast

If you want to suss out the cleanliness and hygiene level of any hotel, take a quick look behind furniture and drapes.

From The Daily Beast

Presently there came a sound from the stove, "Suss—suss—suss!"

From Project Gutenberg

Like her old self for a minute, Mrs. Suss, she hit me on the arm.

From Project Gutenberg

"Schlaf selig und suss," the soft stirring of the night-wind seemed to say: let her not dread the message the morning would bring!

From Project Gutenberg