fessed

Fessed is the past tense and past participle of the informal verb fess, meaning to confess or admit. The related present participle is fessing, and the phrasal verb fess up is commonly used to mean “admit and reveal a fact or fault.” The usage is predominantly informal and is most often encountered in spoken American English, dialogue in fiction, and casual writing.

In typical usage, fessed up can take a direct object: “He fessed up to breaking the window,” or stand alone in contexts where the confession is obvious from the situation: “She finally fessed.” The phrase is generally used to convey candor, sometimes with humor or self-deprecation, and it is less common in formal writing or professional reports.

Etymology and history: Fess is considered a clipped form of confess, and fessed up emerged as a colloquial variant in American slang likely during the mid-20th century. The precise origins are unclear, but the form has become widely understood and accepted in informal speech.

Usage notes: Because fess is informal, it is typically avoided in formal or academic writing. It can convey a relaxed, conversational tone in fiction or personal narratives. Writers may choose more formal alternatives such as confessed, admitted, or acknowledged when a formal register is required.

See also: Confess, Confession, Admit.