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wimp

/wɪmp/
/wɪmp/
IPA guide

Other forms: wimps

A wimp is someone who's fearful or weak. If you don't want to ride the roller coaster, you don't have to — don't let yourself be talked into it just because you're worried your friends will call you a wimp.

Wimp is an informal, derogatory way to refer to someone who's nervous or unadventurous, like calling them a "chicken" or "crybaby." And when you wimp out, you don't follow through on something because you're too scared: "I didn't mean to wimp out, but when I got up there, I changed my mind about bungee jumping." Experts aren't sure about the origin of wimp but think it may be connected to whimper, "cry softly and fearfully."

Definitions of wimp
  1. noun
    a person who lacks confidence, is irresolute and wishy-washy
    synonyms: chicken, crybaby
    see moresee less
    type of:
    doormat, weakling, wuss
    a person who is physically weak and ineffectual
Pronunciation
US
/wɪmp/
UK
/wɪmp/
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