DictionaryAI

puss

noun
PUUS/pʊs/

Pluralpusses

8 meanings of puss

Practice

  1. 1
    catnouncolloquialterm of addresscountable or uncountable
    A cat, especially when you call it or talk to it.

    Here, puss, it's time for dinner.

    The old puss sleeps on the porch all afternoon.

    UsageSay here, puss to call a cat.

    Similarkitty, cat, moggy

    Note
  2. 2
    yellow liquidnounnonstandarduncountable
    A common misspelling of pus, the yellow liquid that comes out of an infected cut.

    Puss oozed from the infected cut on his knee.

    The nurse wiped away the puss before putting on a clean bandage.

    Note
  3. 3
    facenounslangcountable
    A slang word for someone's face or mouth.

    He got a pie right in the puss at the school fair.

    Wipe that silly grin off your puss.

    UsageSay a ball hit him in the puss.

    Similarface, mug, kisser

    Note
  4. 4
    private partsnounslangvulgarcountable or uncountable
    The outer sex organs of a woman's body.

    Similarvulva

    Note
  5. 5
    cowardnounslangvulgarCanadaUScountable or uncountable
    A person who is easily scared and cannot stand up for themselves.

    Don't be such a puss, just ask her to dance.

    He called his brother a puss for running away from a spider.

    UsageOften used to dare someone: don't be a puss.

    Similarwimp, wuss, coward, chicken, sissy

    Note
  6. 6
    nounslangvulgarmetonymicallyuncountable
    Having sex with a woman.

    Similarsex

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 7
    child (pet name)noundatedendearingcountable or uncountable
    A loving name for a girl, a young woman, or any child.

    "Come here, little puss, and give me a hug," said Grandpa.

    Their youngest is a sweet little puss with big brown eyes.

    Similarpoppet, pet, sweetie, darling

    Note
  2. 8
    harenoundatedcountable or uncountable
    A hare, the animal like a big rabbit, in the talk of hunters.

    Similarhare

    Note

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1, 4–8

Probably from Dutch or Low German words for a cat, perhaps from a sound people make to call a cat.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

Meaning 3

From, or related to, an Irish word meaning "mouth" or "lip".

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 1 fact

  • Puss comes from or is related to an Irish word meaning mouth or lip. en.wiktionary.org