What does "joss" mean?
A Chinese household divinity; a Chinese idol.
Joss
/dʒɒs/ name, noun, verb, slang
name, noun, verb, slang ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A Chinese household divinity; a Chinese idol.
- Grammar: joss is listed as name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: baal, deity, fetish, fortune.
- Useful contrasts: atheist.
- Usage evidence: Don't forget they're mostly just joss-worshipping heathen an' they don't get no kick out of the more classy breeds o' religion. Though I guess there ain't that much diff'rence. It ain't many's so Lord Almighty in theirselves that they don't need a joss of some sort, an' I guess it's what yu think about him matters not the sort o' joss.
How to use "joss"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "joss" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "joss" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "joss" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "joss" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "joss" is acting as name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "baal" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "joss", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A Chinese household divinity; a Chinese idol. countable
- 2 a Chinese god worshipped in the form of an idol wordnet
- 3 A heathen divinity. countable
"Don't forget they're mostly just joss-worshipping heathen an' they don't get no kick out of the more classy breeds o' religion. Though I guess there ain't that much diff'rence. It ain't many's so Lord Almighty in theirselves that they don't need a joss of some sort, an' I guess it's what yu think about him matters not the sort o' joss."
- 4 Luck. informal, uncountable
"She had twisted a piece of heather into her mail box for good joss, and this was the safety signal."
Verb
- 1 To invalidate a fan theory or original element of a fanwork through the introduction of new canon or retconning. slang, transitive
"Author's note part 2: I'm leaving it to the imagination of the reader what Cordelia saw of her future. Writing that out would be asking to be Jossed."
Proper Noun
- 1 A unisex given name; A diminutive of the female given name Jocelyn.
- 2 A unisex given name; A diminutive of the male given name Joseph.
- 3 A surname.
Antonyms
Example
"Don't forget they're mostly just joss-worshipping heathen an' they don't get no kick out of the more classy breeds o' religion. Though I guess there ain't that much diff'rence. It ain't many's so Lord Almighty in theirselves that they don't need a joss of some sort, an' I guess it's what yu think about him matters not the sort o' joss."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "joss"?
Common synonyms include: baal, deity, fetish, fortune, god, idol.
How do you use "joss" in a sentence?
Don't forget they're mostly just joss-worshipping heathen an' they don't get no kick out of the more classy breeds o' religion. Though I guess there ain't that much diff'rence. It ain't many's so Lord Almighty in theirselves that they don't need a joss of some sort, an' I guess it's what yu think about him matters not the sort o' joss.
How do you pronounce "joss"?
Pronounced /dʒɒs/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Chinese Pidgin English joss, from Macau Pidgin Portuguese, from Portuguese deus (“god”), from Latin deus (“god”), from Proto-Indo-European *deywós (“god/that which belongs to heaven”).
Etymology 2
Verb usage evolved from the name of Joss Whedon, creator of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Firefly.