sassy
/'sæsi/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Rude and disrespectful in a lively, bold, or spirited way: Showing a lack of respect through cheeky, impudent, or overly forward behavior, often with a confident or spirited attitude.
- Stylish and confident in a bold, lively way: (Informal, especially in modern usage) Describing someone, often a young person, who is fashionably bold, spirited, and self-assured.
Usage and Examples
- As an adjective describing disrespectful boldness:
- The sassy child talked back to her teacher.
- I don't appreciate your sassy tone.
- As an adjective describing confident, lively style (informal):
- She walked in with a sassy, new haircut.
- The singer has a sassy stage presence.
Advanced Usage and Nuance
- Contextual Shift: Historically and in formal contexts, "sassy" primarily carries a negative connotation of impudence. In contemporary informal usage, particularly in describing fashion, performance, or assertive confidence, it can have a positive or admiring connotation.
- "Don't get sassy with me!": A common reprimand meaning "Don't speak to me in a disrespectfully bold or cheeky manner."
- Degree: The word often implies a degree of playful energy or spirit within the boldness, distinguishing it from merely being rude or angry.
Variants and Related Words
- Sass (noun): Rude, disrespectful backtalk.
- That's enough of your sass!
- Sass (verb): To talk in a sassy manner.
- Don't you sass me!
- Sassily (adverb): In a sassy manner.
- Sassiness (noun): The quality of being sassy.
Synonyms
- Cheeky: Impudent, especially in an amusing or endearing way.
- Impudent: Not showing due respect for another person; impertinent.
- Fresh (informal): Impudently bold; forward.
- Pert: Lively and bold in a way that may be slightly disrespectful.
- Insolent: Showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect.
Antonyms
- Polite: Having or showing behavior that is respectful and considerate of other people.
- Respectful: Feeling or showing deference and respect.
- Timid: Showing a lack of courage or confidence; easily frightened.
- Deferential: Showing humility and respect.
Idioms and Common Phrases
- Full of sass: Describing someone who is very cheeky or spiritedly bold.
- The toddler is full of sass today.
- A sassy remark: A comment that is boldly disrespectful or cheeky.
- He made a sassy remark and got in trouble.
Adjective
- improperly forward or bold
- don't be fresh with me
- impertinent of a child to lecture a grownup
- an impudent boy given to insulting strangers
- Don't get wise with me!