noun

putz

puhts

Putz (noun) means slang for a foolish or clumsy person. Example: “Stop acting like a putz and just apologise.”

noun

Slang for a foolish or clumsy person.

"Stop acting like a putz and just apologise."

verb

To waste time doing unimportant things.

"We just putzed around the house all weekend."

How to use putz

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSlang for a fool, or to waste time on trivial things.

When to use it

Informal, American slang, mildly crude in origin.

Easily confused with

schmuck →

putzed past tense, putzed past tense, putzes plural, putzes plural, Putzes plural, putzes singular, putzes singular

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Can you complete this real example?

Stop acting like a _____ and just apologise.

From Yiddish pots, originally a crude word for the penis, later softened into general slang for a fool.

Origin: Yiddish

lutz klutz

What does “putz” mean?

The word “putz” means slang for a foolish or clumsy person. In plain terms, slang for a fool, or to waste time on trivial things.

How do you pronounce “putz”?

“Putz” is pronounced puhts (/pʌts/ in IPA).

How do you use “putz” in a sentence?

Here is “putz” used in a sentence: “Stop acting like a putz and just apologise.”

What part of speech is “putz”?

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

Where does the word “putz” come from?

The word “putz” comes from Yiddish.

How many meanings does “putz” have?

“Putz” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: slang for a foolish or clumsy person.

Vocabulary lists that include putz: