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Prissy - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Prissy describes someone who is overly concerned with being proper, neat, or refined, often in a fussy or self-important way. It can imply excessive primness or disapproval of anything messy or informal.

prissy

/ˈprɪsi/ /ˈprɪsi/

Definition:

Excessively concerned with propriety or tidiness, often in an affected or fussy manner.

Synonyms:

prim, fussy, fastidious, finicky

Part of Speech:

adjective

Antonyms:

relaxed, easygoing

Common Collocations:

prissy attitude, prissy behavior, prissy manners

Derivatives:

prissiness, prissily

Usage Tips:

Use "prissy" to describe someone overly concerned with trivial details or appearing overly refined in a disapproving way.

Common Phrases:

prissy and proper, too prissy for words

Etymology:

Likely derived from "prim" + "-issy," influenced by "sissy," implying excessive neatness or propriety.

Examples:

  • 1. She gave a prissy sniff at the messy room.
  • 2. His prissy manners made him unpopular at the casual party.
  • 3. The teacher’s prissy tone annoyed the students.
  • 4. Don’t be so prissy about a little dirt on your shoes!

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