arse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, Vulgar, Taboo
Quick answer
What does “arse” mean?
The buttocks or anus.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The buttocks or anus; used primarily to refer to the human posterior.
Can be used to refer to a foolish, annoying, or contemptible person, or as a general intensifier expressing frustration, annoyance, or emphasis.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The direct anatomical equivalent in American English is 'ass'. 'Arse' is the standard British/Commonwealth form and is not used in American English for the body part.
Connotations
In British English, 'arse' carries the full force of a taboo body-part term. In American English, hearing 'arse' might sound like a quaint or conscious Britishism, not a native vulgarity.
Frequency
Very high frequency in informal British/Irish/Australian speech. Extremely low frequency in American English, except in contexts deliberately invoking British culture.
Grammar
How to Use “arse” in a Sentence
Verb + arse: get off your arse, move your arseAdjective + arse: lazy arse, stupid arseNoun + arse: pain in the arseVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “arse” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Stop arsing about and get to work!
- He spent the afternoon arsing around on his phone.
American English
- (Not used; Americans would say 'horsing around' or 'screwing around')
adverb
British English
- (Rare as a pure adverb; appears in phrasal verbs like 'arse up' - 'I completely arsed up the exam.')
American English
- (Not used)
adjective
British English
- He's a complete arsehole when he's tired.
- Don't be such an arsey customer.
American English
- (Not used as an adjective; Americans would use 'ass' or 'jerk' as a noun)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Unacceptable, except possibly in the idiom 'cover your arse' in very informal internal discussions.
Academic
Unacceptable.
Everyday
Common in informal speech among friends, but avoided in polite or mixed company.
Technical
Not used; clinical terms like 'gluteus maximus', 'anus', or 'buttocks' are used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “arse”
- Using 'arse' in formal writing or with people you don't know well.
- Using 'arse' in American English contexts where 'ass' is expected, which can sound affected or confusing.
- Spelling it as 'ass' when writing in British English context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is considered a vulgar taboo word in British and Commonwealth English, though its severity is context-dependent. It is stronger than 'bum' but perhaps slightly less shocking than certain other four-letter words.
Using 'arse' in the US will likely confuse people or be seen as an affectation. Americans use 'ass' for both the anatomical and metaphorical meanings. Use 'arse' only if you are deliberately speaking in a British dialect.
They are dialectal variants meaning the same thing. 'Arse' is British/Commonwealth. 'Ass' is American. However, in British English, 'ass' primarily means 'donkey'.
Yes, they are highly informal and vulgar. They should only be used in very casual settings with people who use similar language. They are not appropriate for public or professional discourse.
The buttocks or anus.
Arse is usually informal, vulgar, taboo in register.
Arse: in British English it is pronounced /ɑːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɑːrs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “arse over elbow/ti (fall clumsily)”
- “arse about face (back to front; completely wrong)”
- “work your arse off (work extremely hard)”
- “cover your arse (CYA - take action to avoid future blame)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a British 'arse' sitting on a 'horse' (similar sound, different animal).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A CONTAINER (OF VALUE/STUPIDITY): 'He's all mouth and no trousers/arse' (talks but doesn't act). LAZINESS IS IMMOBILITY OF THE ARSE: 'Get off your arse!'
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the standard American English equivalent for the anatomical term 'arse'?