kiasiness

K5I1A1S1I1N1E1S1S1
Singapore/ˈkjɑːsiːnəs/Singapore[ˈkjãː˧.siː˧.nəs˦]

noun

The quality of being kiasi, a stereotypically Singaporean attitude associated with being overly wary and willing to take excessive measures to avoid risk.

Scrabble 13
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Meanings

nounkiasiness (uncountable)
  1. SingaporeSinglishderogatorymildlyuncountableThe quality of being kiasi, a stereotypically Singaporean attitude associated with being overly wary and willing to take excessive measures to avoid risk.

Origin

kiasi + -ness, from Hokkien 驚死／惊死 (kiaⁿ-sí, “afraid to die”)

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

kiasiness. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kiasiness

MLA

“kiasiness.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kiasiness. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “kiasiness,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kiasiness.

Source: kiasiness on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.