English Reference

Word

pussy

/ˈpʊsi/

Definitions

04containing pus

C1 · Medicine

adj. full of or leaking pus from an infection.

adj. containing, consisting of, or resembling pus; purulent.

“The doctor cleaned the pussy wound to help it heal faster.”

“The nurse noted that the incision had become pussy and inflamed, suggesting a localized bacterial infection.”

Technical

Pitfall

The wound was pussy.

The wound was purulent.

While 'pussy' is technically correct in medicine, it is often avoided in speech to prevent confusion with the vulgar noun; 'purulent' is the professional standard.

Synonyms

purulentinfected

Antonyms

05to quit due to fear

C1

v. to decide not to do something because you are afraid.

v. to withdraw from an action or commitment out of cowardice; almost exclusively used in the phrasal verb 'pussy out'.

“He promised to go skydiving with us, but he pussied out at the last minute.”

“Despite his initial bravado, he pussied out when he realized the legal risks involved in the protest.”

Slang · Vulgar

Synonyms

chicken outwimp out

Antonyms

Real-World Examples

“Meanwhile feminism was being commodified by companies like Missoni, which copied the pink pussy hats knitted, for nothing, by feminist protesters, and sold them for £140 apiece.”
The Guardian · 25 Aug 2026

Domain

Medicine

This entry

Level
C2 · Proficiency
Frequency
Common
Updated

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