adj C2 Proficient

prissy

PRIH-see

Prissy (adj) means Excessively prim, fussy, or particular about small details. Example: “He gave a prissy little frown at the mismatched napkins.”

adj

Excessively prim, fussy, or particular about small details.

"He gave a prissy little frown at the mismatched napkins."

"Their prissy neighbor complained about every blade of grass out of place."

Lacking toughness or vigor; overly delicate or effeminate in manner (dated, often used disparagingly).

"The older sailors mocked him for being too prissy for the job."

How to Use Prissy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishFussy and overly concerned with neatness or propriety, in a way that can come across as prudish.

Common pairings

prissy attitude act prissy a prissy little

Word Forms

prissier comparative, prissies plural, prissiest superlative

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He gave a _____ little frown at the mismatched napkins.

Etymology

First recorded in the 1890s, likely blending "prim" with either "precise" or "sissy" — probably popularized by the American writer Joel Chandler Harris.

· First attested 1890

Class of 1890 prissy joined the language around 1890.

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Rhymes for prissy

sissy kissy hissy Missy cissy Chrissy

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “prissy” mean?

The word “prissy” means excessively prim, fussy, or particular about small details. In plain terms, fussy and overly concerned with neatness or propriety, in a way that can come across as prudish.

How do you pronounce “prissy”?

“Prissy” is pronounced PRIH-see (/ˈpɹɪsi/ in IPA).

How do you use “prissy” in a sentence?

Here is “prissy” used in a sentence: “He gave a prissy little frown at the mismatched napkins.”

What part of speech is “prissy”?

“Prissy” is an adjective.

Where does the word “prissy” come from?

The word “prissy” dates back to around 1890. First recorded in the 1890s, likely blending "prim" with either "precise" or "sissy" — probably popularized by the American writer Joel Chandler Harris.

How many meanings does “prissy” have?

“Prissy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: excessively prim, fussy, or particular about small details.

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C2 Vocabulary Words