Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

fess

/fɛs/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.66 in modern English

Syllables: fess
IPA: /fɛs/

7

Scrabble Score

4

Letters

1

Syllables

3

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To confess; to admit.

noun

A horizontal band across the middle of the shield.

adj

Proud; conceited.

British usage

adj

Lively; active; strong.

British usage

adj

Of animals, bad-tempered, fierce.

British usage

name

A surname from German.

noun

Initialism of functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Example Sentences

"Lord Robert Walsingham de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral—Hum! Arms: Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable."
"The space where the arms of Wolsey used to be is being repainted with his own newly granted arms: azure, on a fess between three lions rampant or, a rose gules, barbed vert, between two Cornish choughs proper."
"Y'll be fess enough, my poppet, when th'st know!""

Etymology

Clipping of confess.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: fesse, fascia, Fess

Usage

British usage

Inflected Forms

fesses (present, singular) fessing (participle, present) fessed (participle, past) fessed (past) 'fess (alternative) fesses (plural) fesse (alternative) feese (alternative)

Derived Forms

fessways fesswise

Phrases

fess up fess point per fess

Frequently Paired Words

bar barrulet closet

Synonyms

fesse

Rhymes With

yes less guess press success unless vs dress stress express mess des

Questions

How do you pronounce fess?: The recorded pronunciation is /fɛs/.
What does fess mean?: To confess; to admit.
Where does fess come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce fess

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “fess”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/fɛs/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “fess”.
Repeat and practice — Say “fess” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.