Fess
verb
To admit something embarrassing or wrong.
He finally fessed that he cheated on the test.
Often appears as...
- fess up
- fess to
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
noun
In heraldry, a horizontal band across the middle of a shield.
The fess on the coat of arms represents the military belt and girdle of honour that the knight wears.
Often appears as...
- fess point
- fess blazon
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
verb
To admit something embarrassing or wrong.
He finally fessed that he cheated on the test.
Often appears as...
- fess up
- fess to
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
noun
In heraldry, a horizontal band across the middle of a shield.
The fess on the coat of arms represents the military belt and girdle of honour that the knight wears.
Often appears as...
- fess point
- fess blazon
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Colloquial Usage
Use 'fess' in casual conversation, not formal writing or speeches.
I need to fess to eating your leftovers.
Pro Tip 2/3Expression of Guilt
'Fess' often shows someone is feeling guilty or ashamed about something.
She fessed up to lying about her whereabouts.
Pro Tip 3/3Confession Implication
When you 'fess', you usually disclose something others are unaware of.
He couldn't fess that he had lost the money.
Pro Tip 1/3Colloquial Usage
Use 'fess' in casual conversation, not formal writing or speeches.
I need to fess to eating your leftovers.
Pro Tip 2/3Expression of Guilt
'Fess' often shows someone is feeling guilty or ashamed about something.
She fessed up to lying about her whereabouts.
Pro Tip 3/3Confession Implication
When you 'fess', you usually disclose something others are unaware of.
He couldn't fess that he had lost the money.
Pro Tip 1/3Colloquial Usage
Use 'fess' in casual conversation, not formal writing or speeches.
I need to fess to eating your leftovers.
Pro Tip 2/3Expression of Guilt
'Fess' often shows someone is feeling guilty or ashamed about something.
She fessed up to lying about her whereabouts.
Pro Tip 3/3Confession Implication
When you 'fess', you usually disclose something others are unaware of.
He couldn't fess that he had lost the money.
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Video examples
A Skeptic’s Guide to...
so i have to fess up that for the longest time my knowledge of bats started and basically ended
Video examples
A Skeptic’s Guide to...
so i have to fess up that for the longest time my knowledge of bats started and basically ended
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Richard Corliss
American Writer
Fess up, 'Hunger Games' fans: Does anyone care about Peeta or find him attractive? He's the Ron Weasley of the series: he gets points for callow valor and sympathy for his run of bad luck, but he remains a pasty, earnest bore.
Quote examples
Walker Hayes
American Musician
I've always felt very insecure being around in-laws, even my siblings - like the guy who made a bad decision, or the guy who would never just fess up that I'm not good enough to make it, or I don't have what it takes.
Quote examples
Macaulay Culkin
American Actor
People do bad things in their lives. And those sort of things are forgivable. That's half the point of having confession in church - you need to be able to fess up to what you've done.
Quote examples
Richard Corliss
American Writer
Fess up, 'Hunger Games' fans: Does anyone care about Peeta or find him attractive? He's the Ron Weasley of the series: he gets points for callow valor and sympathy for his run of bad luck, but he remains a pasty, earnest bore.
Quote examples
Walker Hayes
American Musician
I've always felt very insecure being around in-laws, even my siblings - like the guy who made a bad decision, or the guy who would never just fess up that I'm not good enough to make it, or I don't have what it takes.
Quote examples
Macaulay Culkin
American Actor
People do bad things in their lives. And those sort of things are forgivable. That's half the point of having confession in church - you need to be able to fess up to what you've done.
Example 1 of 3
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