noun / verb
wimp
WIMP/wɪmp/
Being timid or lacking the resolve to face difficulty.
He feels like a wimp as he hides from the friendly puppy.
Etymology
The origin is uncertain; wimp may be a shortening of whimper. Its use for a weak or timid person may later have been influenced by the comparatively unaggressive comic-strip character Wimpy.
In context
he doesn't want to look as though he's a wimp so he's trying to look tough
More examples
- Do not call someone a wimp for asking for help.
- She wimped out of the difficult conversation.
- He was worried about wimping out again.
Forms
wimp · wimps · wimped · wimping
Similar words
- coward
- A stronger insult, usually involving fear rather than lack of resolve.
- weakling
- Weakling emphasizes weakness rather than lack of courage specifically.