fess
3 synonyms for fess, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To admit or confess to something, usually after some hesitation.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To admit or confess to something, usually after some hesitation.
“He finally fessed up to breaking the window.”
2. noun
In heraldry, a broad horizontal band running across the centre of a shield.
“The coat of arms showed a gold fess on a blue background.”
fesse
How to use fess
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
fess up
fess up to something
Etymology
The verb is simply a shortened form of "confess." The heraldry sense comes separately from Old French fesse, ultimately from Latin fascia, "band" or "sash."
Full origin of fess →Frequently asked questions
What does “fess” mean?
The word “fess” means to admit or confess to something, usually after some hesitation. In plain terms, mostly used today in the phrase "fess up," meaning to own up to something.
How do you pronounce “fess”?
“Fess” is pronounced fehs (/fɛs/ in IPA).
How do you use “fess” in a sentence?
Here is “fess” used in a sentence: “He finally fessed up to breaking the window.”
What part of speech is “fess”?
Depending on how it is used, “fess” can be a verb, a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “fess” come from?
The word “fess” comes from Latin. The verb is simply a shortened form of "confess." The heraldry sense comes separately from Old French fesse, ultimately from Latin fascia, "band" or "sash.".
How many meanings does “fess” have?
“Fess” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to admit or confess to something, usually after some hesitation.
