Standard Lemma guide

nebbish

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈnɛ.bɪʃ/
  • rhymes with -ɛbɪʃ

1

noun

Meaning 1

One who is fearful, indecisive and timid, especially in making decisions and plans, in discussions, debates, arguments, and confrontations, and in taking responsibility.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Actor Rick Moranis often plays a nebbish.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

(Yiddish) a timid unfortunate simpleton

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: nebbech

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: simpleton, simple

History

Etymology

From American Yiddish נעביש (nebish), from נעבעך (nebekh, “poor, unfortunate”).