# pansy

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈpæn.zi/ · frequency rank #38,542

## Definitions
1. A cultivated flowering plant, derived by hybridization within species Viola tricolor.
2. A deep purple colour, like that of the pansy.
3. Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genus Junonia.
4. A timid, weak man or boy; a wuss.
5. A male homosexual, especially one who is effeminate.

## Etymology
From Middle French pensée (“thought”), as the plant resembles someone that is in deep thought, with a lowered head. Doublet of pensée.

## Easily confused with
- **pay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pansy-vs-pay)
- **pas** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pansy-vs-pas)
- **past** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pansy-vs-past)
- **pass** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pansy-vs-pass)
- **pays** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pansy-vs-pays)
- **pony** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pansy-vs-pony)
- **pins** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pansy-vs-pins)
- **pens** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pansy-vs-pens)
- **paws** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pansy-vs-paws)
- **pats** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pansy-vs-pats)
- **pant** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pansy-vs-pant)
- **puns** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pansy-vs-puns)
- **pars** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pansy-vs-pars)
- **puny** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pansy-vs-puny)
- **pons** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pansy-vs-pons)
- **party** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pansy-vs-party)
- **plans** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pansy-vs-plans)
- **pants** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pansy-vs-pants)
- **pussy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pansy-vs-pussy)
- **penny** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pansy-vs-penny)

## Common misspellings (8)
`apnsy`, `pannsy`, `panssy`, `pansyy`, `panys`, `pasny`, `pnasy`, `ppansy`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/pansy