cuz

1 of 2

noun

ˈkəz 

plural cuzzes

1

informal : cousin sense 1a

… Robyne is my cuz, part of that ever-growing Fambro clan.

—Theresa Fambro Hooks

… a laughing group of cousins are gathered at Jan's home ("Hi, cuzzes!" says one, upon entering) …

—Moira Macdonald

2

informal

a

: a friend or acquaintance

Now [Triston] McKenzie refers to [CC] Sabathia as his "cuz," one who returned to Cleveland to watch his mentee's first playoff start …

—Gary Phillips

b

—used as a friendly way of addressing someone and especially a man or boy

His roommate … looked up from where he was leafing through a new-looking copy of A Farewell to Arms. "Damn, cuz, what's up? …"

—Martha Southgate

Note: Usage of this sense originated in African American English and has since become widespread.

cuz

2 of 2

conjunction

ˈkəz 

variants or 'cuz

informal

: because

"Why aren't you at work now?" "Cuz I got laid off, man!"

—Dagoberto Gilb

Examples of cuz in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Score Up to $300 in Instant Credits and Gifts Mattress Firm’s got a gift for you, just ‘cuz. —Julia Forbes, Wired News, 2 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

shortening and respelling of cousin

Conjunction

shortening and respelling of because

First Known Use

Noun

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Conjunction

circa 1828, in the meaning defined above