Definition

Adjective: 1. Weak and ineffectual: Describes a person, behavior, or thing that lacks strength, courage, or determination; feeble or cowardly.

Usage

The adjective "wimpy" is used to characterize someone or something as physically weak, lacking in force, or showing a timid, cowardly nature. It is an informal, often derogatory term. - It typically modifies a noun directly (e.g., a wimpy kid, a wimpy excuse). - It can be used predicatively after linking verbs like be, seem, or act (e.g., He is wimpy).

Examples

• Adjective:
  • He gave a wimpy response to the bully instead of standing up for himself.
  • Don't be so wimpy; you need to assert your opinion in the meeting.
  • The wimpy motor couldn't power the boat up the river.

Advanced Usage

• "wimpy out" (informal phrasal verb): To fail to do something due to cowardice or lack of nerve; to back out feebly.
  • He promised to go bungee jumping but wimped out at the last second.

Variants and Related Words

• Wimp (noun): A weak, cowardly, or ineffectual person.
  • Don't be such a wimp; it's only a spider.
• Wimpish (adjective): A less common variant with the same meaning as "wimpy."
• Wimpiness (noun): The state or quality of being wimpy.

Synonyms

• Feeble
• Cowardly
• Timid
• Spineless
• Ineffectual
• Pusillanimous (formal)

Antonyms

• Brave
• Courageous
• Strong
• Assertive
• Stalwart

Related Idioms/Phrases

• A wimp/wimpy: Used directly as a descriptor, often in the phrase "Don't be a wimp" or "That's wimpy."
  • Come on, jump in! Don't be a wimp.

Adjective

1. weak and ineffectual