Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

kiasuism en · NOUN

Pronunciation

/ˈkjɑːsuːɪzm/ (Singapore)
[ˈkjã˧.su˧.ɪ˧.zm˦] (Singapore)

Etymology

kiasu + -ism, from Hokkien 驚輸／惊输 (kiaⁿ-su, “afraid to lose out”)

Meanings

(Singapore, Singlish, derogatory, mildly, uncountable) The mindset associated with being kiasu (overly competitive and afraid to lose out).