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noun

priss

prihs

Priss (noun) means a person, especially seen as overly fussy or prim, who worries too much about propriety. Example: “Stop being such a priss and just get your hands dirty.”

noun
1
A person, especially seen as overly fussy or prim, who worries too much about propriety.
"Stop being such a priss and just get your hands dirty."
verb
1
To act in a fussy, overly prim or dainty way.
"She prissed around the kitchen, refusing to touch anything sticky."

How to use priss

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who is fussy and overly proper — or the act of behaving that way.

Easily confused with

Word forms

prissed past tense, prisses plural, prisses singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Stop being such a _____ and just get your hands dirty.

Etymology

A back-formation from "prissy" — English sometimes builds a shorter root word after the longer adjective already exists.

Rhymes for priss

See all rhymes for priss →

Frequently asked questions

What does “priss” mean?

The word “priss” means a person, especially seen as overly fussy or prim, who worries too much about propriety. In plain terms, someone who is fussy and overly proper — or the act of behaving that way.

How do you pronounce “priss”?

“Priss” is pronounced prihs (/pɹɪs/ in IPA).

How do you use “priss” in a sentence?

Here is “priss” used in a sentence: “Stop being such a priss and just get your hands dirty.”

What part of speech is “priss”?

Depending on how it is used, “priss” can be a noun and a verb.

How many meanings does “priss” have?

“Priss” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person, especially seen as overly fussy or prim, who worries too much about propriety.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial