puss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "puss" is correct and usable in written English, though it is informal and can have different meanings depending on context.
You can use it as a colloquial term for a cat or as a slang term for a person's face, often in a playful or affectionate manner. Example: "Look at that cute little puss sleeping on the couch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Related: How the new wave of man-trapped-in cat movies could fight puss prejudice Trend: fitness clubs If you need further proof of why John Travolta owes his life, riches and hair implants to Quentin Tarantino's casting prowess, rather than Xenu, this astoundingly bad gym drama should provide it.

The Guardian - Film

They are not, necessarily, all "snobs" and "stupid, stuck-up, toffee-nosed, half-witted upper-class piles of puss" as that proprietor once described someone who dared to grumble about the service at Fawlty Towers.There are plenty of real-life Fawltys.

The Economist

In the puss moth caterpillars the last pair has evolved into a pair of long eversible whiplashes (stemmatopoda).

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was exquisite, as big as many butterflies, as were the orange moth and the puss moth before it.

Independent

The good news for cat-lovers is that the study, led by clinician Elizabeth Stelow, suggested that, overall, puss is a bit of a pushover.

Independent

Officiating over the event is blonde glamour puss Rona Lisa Perretti (spot-on Katherine Kingsley), a former winner whose blinkered romanticising of the proceedings is in hilarious contrast to the dog-eat-dog reality.

Independent

Specifically, we're talking about Plain Jane Superbrain turning glamour puss.

Independent

"'Sugarpuss' implies a certain sweetness in her," he says, with a straight puss.

The New Yorker

Sweet relief for those of us equipped with a sour puss.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

This female is brilliantly nailed by Tara Fitzgerald, who is clearly enjoying playing a resentful frump against her normal glamour-puss type.

Independent

The term embraces such popular folktales (Märchen) as "Cinderella" and "Puss-in-Boots" and art fairy tales (Kunstmärchen) of later invention, such as The Happy Prince (1888), by the Irish writer Oscar Wilde.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, be mindful of the multiple meanings of "puss". Ensure your intended meaning is clear from the surrounding context.

Common error

Avoid using "puss" in formal writing where its slang connotations may be inappropriate or misunderstood. Choose a more precise and unambiguous term.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "puss" is as a noun. Ludwig examples show its usage both as a colloquial term for a cat and as slang for a person's face.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "puss" is a versatile noun with multiple meanings, ranging from a colloquial term for a cat to slang for "face" or "coward". Ludwig AI states that the word is grammatically correct and usable in written English, though it is informal and can have different meanings depending on the context. The usage analysis shows that "puss" is most frequently found in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science, indicating a broad, though informal, acceptance. While "puss" can add character to informal communication, it's crucial to consider the audience and setting, opting for more precise and unambiguous language in formal contexts. Overall, "puss" is a word that demands careful consideration of its diverse meanings and varying levels of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wuss

Offers a synonym for "coward" that maintains a similar level of informality.

glamour puss

Replaces 'puss' with the full expression for a glamorous woman.

sourpuss

Replaces 'puss' with the full expression for a bad-tempered person.

cat

Replaces the informal term with a more standard and widely understood term for a feline.

vulva

Replaces the slang term with the correct anatomical term.

kitty

Offers a more affectionate and gentle term for a cat.

female genitalia

Provides a more clinical and formal term.

face

Substitutes the slang term for "face" with the standard term.

mouth

Replaces the slang term for "mouth" with its standard equivalent.

coward

Replaces the slang term for a timid or weak person with a more direct term.

FAQs

How can I use "puss" in a sentence?

Depending on the intended meaning, you can use "puss" to refer to a cat, as in "That little "cat" is such a sweet puss", or informally to refer to someone's face, as in "He got a slap in the puss".

What are some alternatives to using "puss"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "puss" include "cat", "kitty", "face", "mouth" or "coward".

Is it correct to use "puss" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "puss" is generally considered informal and may be inappropriate for formal writing. Use more precise and professional terms like "cat" or "coward".

What's the difference between "puss" and "pussycat"?

"Pussycat" is almost exclusively used to refer to a cat in an affectionate way. "Puss", while also meaning cat, has various other informal meanings, including "face", or "coward".