verb
fess
fehs
Fess (verb) means to admit or confess to something, usually after some hesitation. Example: “He finally fessed up to breaking the window.”
verb
1
To admit or confess to something, usually after some hesitation.
"He finally fessed up to breaking the window."
"She fessed up that she'd eaten the last slice of cake."
noun
1
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."
adj
1
Informal: lively, bold, or full of energy.
"The puppy was feeling fess after its nap, racing circles round the yard."
How to use fess
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMostly used today in the phrase "fess up," meaning to own up to something.
Common mistake
Almost always appears as "fess up" in modern use; using bare "fess" as a verb elsewhere sounds old-fashioned.
Common pairings
fess up
fess up to something
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Word forms
- Plural
- fesses
- Third person singular
- fesses
- Past tense
- fessed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He finally _____ up to breaking the window.
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."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for fess
See all rhymes for 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.
