putz

noun \ ˈpəts \

|Updated on: 5 Jun 2018

Definition of putz

1 US, informal : a stupid, foolish, or ineffectual person : jerk

2 US, vulgar slang : penis

See putz defined for English-language learners

Origin and Etymology of putz

Yiddish puts, literally, "finery, show," probably from putsn "to clean, shine"; akin to German putzen "to adorn, clean"

First Known Use: 1928

in the meaning defined at sense 1

putz

verb

Definition of putz

putzed; putzing; putzes

intransitive verb

US, informal

: to spend time in an aimless or idle manner : putter, fool around —usually + around

But come July or August, I invariably find myself putzing around the kitchen, making something sort of weird, like potato-Roquefort salad sandwiches, heavy on the dill.
—Karen MacNeil

Recent Examples of putz from the Web

She and her dad would spend the weekends putzing around race tracks, talking their way into hospitality tents, begging team owners for a shot.

— zak keefer, Indianapolis Star, "Danica Patrick on her last race, the Indy 500 that got away, and why she can win," 18 May 2018
Yoda: Don’t underestimate the wizened little green guy putzing around with a lightsaber.

— brian truitt, USA TODAY, "The 40 best movie characters in 40 years of 'Star Wars,' ranked," 13 Dec. 2017
Wait until summer, get a tent and sleeping bag, and go putz around a part of the country.

— emily zemler, Esquire, "Comedian Kyle Kinane Wants to Help You Get Your Act Together," 14 Oct. 2016
Golden State has a habit of putzing around for two quarters, letting Zaza Pachulia play too much, and then turning on the jets in the third before burying opponents with ease.

— rohan nadkarni, SI.com, "NBA Opening Night: Seven Storylines to Watch," 17 Oct. 2017
My normal thing to do is putz around on my antique collection of tractors.

— lainey seyler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Tom Steinbach: 5 things he can't do without," 28 Aug. 2017
Yoda: Don’t underestimate the wizened little green guy putzing around with a lightsaber.

— brian truitt, USA TODAY, "The 40 best movie characters in 40 years of 'Star Wars,' ranked," 24 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'putz.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.