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adj

sassy

SASEE

Sassy (adj) means Bold, cheeky, or full of spirited attitude, especially toward someone in authority. Example: “The sassy toddler put her hands on her hips and refused to move.”

adj
1
Bold, cheeky, or full of spirited attitude, especially toward someone in authority.
"The sassy toddler put her hands on her hips and refused to move."
"His sassy comeback made the whole office laugh."
2
Stylish, fashionable, and full of confident flair.
"She showed up in a sassy new outfit."

How to use sassy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishCheeky and confident, often in a way that's also stylish or fun.

Common pairings
a sassy remark sassy attitude sassy outfit

Word forms

sassier comparative, sassiest superlative

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The _____ toddler put her hands on her hips and refused to move.

Etymology

A modification of "saucy," built from "sass" plus the adjective ending "-y"; first recorded in American English in 1799, though it only became common in the 1800s.

· First attested 1799

Class of 1799 sassy joined the language around 1799.
See the full Class of 1799 →

Rhymes for sassy

See all rhymes for sassy →

Frequently asked questions

What does “sassy” mean?

The word “sassy” means bold, cheeky, or full of spirited attitude, especially toward someone in authority. In plain terms, cheeky and confident, often in a way that's also stylish or fun.

How do you pronounce “sassy”?

“Sassy” is pronounced SASEE (/ˈsæsi/ in IPA).

How do you use “sassy” in a sentence?

Here is “sassy” used in a sentence: “The sassy toddler put her hands on her hips and refused to move.”

What part of speech is “sassy”?

“Sassy” is an adjective.

Where does the word “sassy” come from?

The word “sassy” dates back to around 1799. A modification of "saucy," built from "sass" plus the adjective ending "-y"; first recorded in American English in 1799, though it only became common in the 1800s.

How many meanings does “sassy” have?

“Sassy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: bold, cheeky, or full of spirited attitude, especially toward someone in authority.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial