What does wimpy mean?
Wimpy describes a person, action, or thing that appears timid, weak, or unwilling to face difficulty. The word is especially critical when applied to conduct that lacks courage or resolve, as in describing a risky undertaking as a wimpy choice or dismissing someone as a wimpy fighter. It can also mean physically feeble or noticeably insufficient, although figurative uses are much more common. In everyday speech, wimpy often conveys more than simple weakness: it can suggest excessive caution, laziness, or an excuse for avoiding a challenge. The expression is informal and generally negative, so it is common in criticism but rarely appropriate for neutral description. Related forms include the adverb wimpily and the noun wimpiness. Although the word looks as though it might have an obvious connection to another English root, its exact historical origin is uncertain, making its development one of the more obscure cases in modern English vocabulary.
adjectiveLacking courage, determination, or strength; timid or weak.
- Lacking courage or determination; timid or cowardly.
- Weak, feeble, or insufficiently strong.
"He refused to take the challenge because he thought it was a wimpy choice."
"Calling a teammate a wimpy player probably will not improve the team's performance."
"The bridge was built with wimpy supports and was closed after inspectors found serious problems."
Wimpy entered English in the nineteenth century, but the word's precise origin remains surprisingly mysterious.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of wimpy
Wimpy is an English word that was in use by the mid-19th century, but its precise origin is uncertain. No proposed source or cognate has been securely established, so it would be misleading to assign it confidently to a particular Germanic or other root.
Related word forms
How wimpy is actually used
Chiefly informal and often disparaging. It can describe a person's behavior, an inadequate performance, or something physically weak, and it frequently suggests exaggerated timidity or unwillingness to face difficulty.
Easily confused with wimpy
Wimpy describes a lack of courage or resolve, whereas whiny describes complaining in a repetitive or excessively plaintive manner.