Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

puss

noun (1)
\ ˈpu̇s How to pronounce puss (audio) \

Definition of puss

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : cat
2 : girl

puss

noun (2)

Definition of puss (Entry 2 of 2)

slang
: face

First Known Use of puss

Noun (1)

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1844, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for puss

Noun (1)

origin unknown

Noun (2)

Irish pus mouth

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about puss

Statistics for puss

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for puss

The first known use of puss was in 1598

See more words from the same year

More from Merriam-Webster on puss

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with puss

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for puss

Comments on puss

What made you want to look up puss? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

writhe

Listen to the pronounciation of writhe

to move or proceed with twists and turns

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Latin Quiz

  • roman forum
  • Which of the following months comes from a Latin word for “ten”?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
TRENDING NOW

  1. surveillance Comey comments on Barr's use of 'spy'

  2. cavalier Virginia wins men's championship

  3. redact, redacted Barr discusses release of report

SEE ALL
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games