butt
B2Informal to neutral. Meanings related to the body ('buttocks') and the cigarette end are informal. Meanings related to objects ('rifle butt') and the verb ('to butt in') are standard.
Definition
Meaning
The thicker end of a tool or weapon; to strike with the head or horns; an object of ridicule or criticism; the remainder of a smoked cigarette or cigar; the buttocks.
Can refer to the blunt end of something, a person who is the target of jokes or criticism, the act of hitting with the head, the unused end of a cigarette, or informally the buttocks. In American slang, also used for a large cask for liquids, especially wine or beer.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Highly polysemous. Context is crucial to distinguish between object, body part, action, and target meanings. The 'cigarette butt' sense is metonymic. The 'target' sense derives from archery (the 'butt' was a mound for target practice).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The 'cigarette/cigar end' sense is slightly more common in AmE. 'Butt' meaning 'buttocks' is common in both, but AmE also uses 'butt' more freely in compound verbs like 'butt dial'. The large cask sense is archaic in BrE but preserved in AmE for large beer barrels (e.g., 'buttload').
Connotations
In both, the body part meaning is informal/colloquial but not highly vulgar. The verb 'to butt in' (interrupt) is slightly more negative in BrE. As a noun for a person (target), it can be mildly derogatory.
Frequency
Overall frequency similar. The body part sense may be marginally more frequent in casual AmE speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to butt [OBJECT] (with head/horns)to butt in/into [CONVERSATION/ARGUMENT]to be the butt of [CRITICISM/JOKES]to butt [OBJECT] against/on [SURFACE]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “butt in”
- “butt out”
- “the butt of the joke”
- “butt heads”
- “kick the butt (slang: quit)”
- “work your butt off”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except metaphorically ('the butt of criticism').
Academic
Rare; may appear in historical texts (wine butt) or sociology (as 'social butt').
Everyday
Very common for cigarette ends, informal for buttocks, common for interrupting ('butt in').
Technical
In engineering/woodworking ('butt joint'), firearms ('rifle butt'), or archery history ('butt' as target mound).
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- He ground the cigarette butt under his heel.
- The comedian became the butt of his own jokes.
- She gave the door a shove with her butt to open it.
American English
- Pick up your cigar butt from my porch!
- He's always the butt of office pranks.
- I need to get off my butt and start exercising.
verb
British English
- The ram butted the fence post repeatedly.
- Please don't butt in while I'm speaking to the client.
- He butted his cigarette out on the pavement.
American English
- The goat butted the kid over playfully.
- She always butts into conversations uninvited.
- Butt out! This is none of your business.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Don't throw your butt on the ground.
- The baby goat tried to butt me.
- He felt like the butt of everyone's jokes after the meeting.
- She accidentally butt-dialled her boss during the argument.
- The two managers constantly butt heads over budgetary issues.
- The rifle's butt was worn smooth from years of use.
- His thesis became the butt of considerable critique from traditional scholars.
- The builder used a simple butt joint for the frame, knowing it would be concealed.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a goat BUTTING its head against a tree stump (the BUTT end of a tree).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A CONTAINER (butt as storage/end), CRITICISM IS PHYSICAL IMPACT (to be the butt of something).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend with Russian 'but' (meaning 'shoe') or 'butylka' (bottle). 'Butt' for body part is less vulgar than Russian 'zadnitsa' but similar to 'popa'. 'Cigarette butt' = 'okurok', not related to 'but'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'butt' (verb) with 'but' (conjunction). Misspelling as 'but'. Using 'butt' (body) in formal writing. Saying 'butt of the cigarette' instead of 'cigarette butt'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'butt' LEAST likely to be used formally?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on context. Referring to 'buttocks' is informal/colloquial but not generally considered offensive in casual speech. However, it is not appropriate for formal or polite contexts. Other meanings (cigarette butt, rifle butt) are neutral.
'Butt in' implies a rude, unwelcome, or abrupt interruption, often into a conversation where one is not involved. 'Interrupt' is more general and can be neutral or polite (e.g., 'Sorry to interrupt, but you have a call').
Yes. While originally for animals (butting with horns), it can be used for people ('butt someone with your head') and metaphorically for objects ('the car butted against the wall') or ideas ('butting heads' in an argument).
It means the person or thing that is the target or subject of a joke, often in a way that makes them look foolish. Example: 'After his typo in the email, he was the butt of the joke all week.'