Meanings
nounkiasuism (uncountable)
- SingaporeSinglishderogatorymildlyuncountableThe mindset associated with being kiasu (overly competitive and afraid to lose out).
Origin
kiasu + -ism, from Hokkien 驚輸／惊输 (kiaⁿ-su, “afraid to lose out”)
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
APA
kiasuism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kiasuism
MLA
“kiasuism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kiasuism. Accessed November 3, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “kiasuism,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kiasuism.
Source: kiasuism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.