buggery: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Very informal, taboo, vulgar in its literal sense. The idioms are highly informal/colourful.
Quick answer
What does “buggery” mean?
A formal, legal, and chiefly British term for anal intercourse.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A formal, legal, and chiefly British term for anal intercourse.
Used idiomatically, especially in UK/Commonwealth contexts, in phrases like 'run like buggery' (to run away very fast) or 'gone to buggery' (broken, ruined). In these idioms, it expresses intensity, ruin, or chaotic situations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word's literal meaning is understood but very rarely used in general American English, where 'sodomy' is the more common legal/formal term. The idiomatic uses (e.g., 'run like buggery', 'what the buggery?') are almost exclusively British/Commonwealth.
Connotations
In the UK, it carries strong historical weight (associated with criminal law until 1967) and remains a potent vulgarity, though its idiomatic use can be somewhat detached from the literal meaning. In the US, it is perceived as a somewhat archaic Britishism.
Frequency
Very low frequency in American English. Low but recognisable frequency in UK English, primarily in its idiomatic forms or as a strong expletive.
Grammar
How to Use “buggery” in a Sentence
commit + buggery (legal)run + like + buggery (idiom)gone + to + buggery (idiom)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “buggery” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The law used to criminalise those who buggered others.
- (Idiomatic) I'm going to bugger off now.
adjective
British English
- It's a buggery mess.
- (Rare) He faced buggery charges.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare and inappropriate.
Academic
Only in historical/legal contexts discussing laws or social history.
Everyday
Taboo. Highly offensive if used literally. Idioms are used informally among close acquaintances.
Technical
Only in specific legal or historical texts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “buggery”
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “buggery”
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Using it in American English expecting the idiomatic meaning to be understood.
- Overestimating its acceptability.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is considered a taboo and vulgar term, especially in its literal meaning. Its idiomatic uses are highly informal and coarse.
Only if you are directly quoting a historical or legal source, or analysing the term itself. It is not appropriate for general academic prose.
It is a British/Commonwealth idiom meaning something is completely ruined, broken, or in a state of chaos.
In legal history, they were often synonymous. In modern usage, 'sodomy' is the more common term in American English and in broader legal/medical contexts, while 'buggery' retains a specifically British legal flavour and is more common in vulgar/idiomatic speech in the UK.
A formal, legal, and chiefly British term for anal intercourse.
Buggery is usually very informal, taboo, vulgar in its literal sense. the idioms are highly informal/colourful. in register.
Buggery: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbʌɡəri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbəɡəri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “run like buggery”
- “what the buggery?”
- “gone to buggery”
- “all to buggery”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'bug' causing chaos in a system – something has 'gone to buggery' means it's as messed up as a bug-ridden computer.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHAOS/FAILURE IS DEVIANT SEXUAL ACT (in idioms).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is the idiom 'run like buggery' most likely to be used?