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sass

/sæs/
/sæs/
IPA guide

Other forms: sassed; sassing; sasses

Sass is a smart alecky or impudent reply. Your middle school teacher might warn you that once you get to high school, they won't put up with your sass.

Use sass as a noun — or a verb, meaning to talk in a cheeky way: "Don't you dare sass your grandmother!" When someone teases you or speaks in an almost rude manner, they give you sass. This word emerged in the 19th century from the adjective sassy, which began as a variation on saucy, from the idea that words can be zesty, sharp, or spicy.

Definitions of sass
  1. noun
    an impudent or insolent rejoinder
    “don't give me any of your sass
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    type of:
    comeback, counter, rejoinder, replication, retort, return, riposte
    a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
  2. verb
    answer back in an impudent or insolent manner
    “don't sass me!”
    “The teacher punished the students who were sassing all morning”
    see moresee less
    type of:
    answer, reply, respond
    react verbally
Pronunciation
US
/sæs/
UK
/sæs/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘sass'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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