pansy
/ˈpænzi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpænzi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpan-zē/ (ame, mw)
pansy — noun
- pansysingular
- pansiesplural
1. a garden flower related to the violet, with broad rounded petals and bright mixe
a garden flower related to the violet, with broad rounded petals and bright mixed colours
Emre planted yellow pansies under the kitchen window before spring arrived.
common collocation: plant pansies
The pansies by the mailbox survived last week's heavy rain and wind.
Apinya bought a tray of pansies to brighten her apartment balcony.
Christopher chose purple pansies because they matched the old garden bench.
用法筆記
Usually refers to the large, showy garden type in the violet family, not to tiny wild violets. Common in flower beds, pots, and window boxes.
2. a hateful slur aimed at a gay man, often suggesting he seems feminine
a hateful slur aimed at a gay man, often suggesting he seems feminine
The principal punished Jack for calling another student a pansy.
pattern: call someone a pansy
Reporters heard a fan shout 'pansy' at Faisal outside the stadium.
The film shows how 'pansy' was used to humiliate gay men.
Nia refused to laugh when her cousin used pansy as abuse.
用法筆記
Strongly offensive and hateful. Use it only when explaining language, quoting abuse, or discussing history, not as a label for people.
3. an insulting word for a boy or man seen as weak, timid, or not manly enough
an insulting word for a boy or man seen as weak, timid, or not manly enough
Christopher hated it when his cousins called him a pansy.
pattern: call someone a pansy
The bully sneered 'Don't be a pansy' when Daichi backed away.
fixed insult: don't be a pansy
Romi's uncle mocked him as a pansy for avoiding the fight.
The novel shows boys being called pansies for crying in public.
用法筆記
Usually aimed at boys or men who are judged as soft, fearful, or not tough enough. It is insulting and reflects narrow ideas about masculinity.
pansy — adjective
- pansypositive
- pansiercomparative
- pansiestsuperlative
1. used as a rude way to describe a boy or man as too feminine in manner, taste, or
used as a rude way to describe a boy or man as too feminine in manner, taste, or appearance
Some boys mocked Emre's scarf as pansy before the teacher intervened.
pattern: describe something as pansy
An older cousin said Jack's dance moves looked pansy.
common after linking verbs: look / seem pansy
Daichi worried classmates would call his careful handwriting pansy.
The article criticized pansy stereotypes in old television comedies.
用法筆記
Usually appears in insults about clothes, voice, taste, or behaviour. It is rude and old-fashioned, and it treats femininity as something shameful.