wuss

Wuss is a slang term in American English used to describe someone considered weak, ineffectual, or cowardly. As a noun, a wuss refers to a person who avoids risk or confrontation; as an adjective, “wussy” or “wuss” describes actions or behavior as lacking courage. The related verb phrase “to wuss out” means to back out or fail to follow through due to fear or hesitation. The term is informal and often pejorative.

The origins of wuss are uncertain. It emerged in 20th-century American slang, with early forms such as “wussy” or “wuss” appearing in youth and sports contexts. Some explanations link it to a clipped form of “pussy,” while others suggest it arose as a juvenile or playful variant of words like “pusillanimous” or simply as a sound-imitative creation. Because its etymology is unclear, dictionaries typically note it as uncertain or folk etymology. Despite this, the term spread through mass media and everyday speech, particularly among younger speakers, and remains common in North American English.

Usage and reception vary by context. The term is informal and can be insulting or dismissive; among friends it may be jocular, while in more formal or mixed company it can be offensive. It is not inherently gendered, but it is often directed at men or boys, though women and nonbinary people may be called wusses in some contexts. The phrase “to wuss out” also appears in sports, entertainment, and online discourse, where it can be used to pressure someone to act with more courage or persistence. Some critics view the term as reinforcing stereotypes about masculinity or vulnerability.