crotch: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral, but often informal and can be considered direct or slightly coarse when referring to the body part.
Quick answer
What does “crotch” mean?
The part of the human body where the legs join at the top, including the genital area.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The part of the human body where the legs join at the top, including the genital area.
1. A point where something divides into two parts, especially the point where the trunk of a tree divides into two branches. 2. The point on a piece of clothing, such as trousers, that is designed to cover this part of the body.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the synonym 'groin' is slightly more common in technical/medical contexts. In the US, 'crotch' is the dominant term for the body part in everyday speech.
Connotations
In both varieties, it can be considered a direct, slightly blunt word. It is not a formal anatomical term. The British term 'crotch' for a tree fork is more common.
Frequency
More frequent in American English for the anatomical reference.
Grammar
How to Use “crotch” in a Sentence
the crotch of [object: tree/pants/road]in the crotch[verb: adjust/kick/hit] [possessive pronoun] crotchVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crotch” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He had to crotch the ball expertly in cricket.
- The tailor suggested we crotch the seams for better fit.
American English
- In pool, he managed to crotch the cue ball behind the eight.
adjective
British English
- The crotch-deep water made wading difficult.
- It was a classic crotch-grabbing dance move.
American English
- He suffered a painful crotch injury during the game.
- The jeans had a unique crotch design.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Very rare, except in clothing manufacturing/textiles (e.g., 'The crotch gusset provides extra movement').
Academic
Rare; 'groin' is preferred in medical/biological contexts. Can appear in arboriculture/forestry for tree structure.
Everyday
Common in informal contexts to refer to anatomy, especially when discussing clothing fit or discomfort.
Technical
Used in tailoring/pattern making and arboriculture.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crotch”
- Pronouncing it as /krəʊtʃ/ (like 'coach').
- Using it in formal writing without context.
- Confusing 'crotch' (the area) with 'crouch' (the verb to bend low).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not a swear word, but it is a direct, informal term for a private body part. It is better to use 'groin' in more polite or formal situations.
'Groin' refers more specifically to the crease or depression between the thigh and the trunk, often used in medical/sports contexts. 'Crotch' is a more general, everyday term for the entire area where the legs meet, including the genitals.
Yes, commonly for anything that forks or divides, like a tree, a pair of trousers, or a river branch (e.g., 'the crotch of the river').
Yes, but it is very rare and specialised. In sports like cricket or pool, it can mean to stop or trap a ball between the legs or the leg and an object.
The part of the human body where the legs join at the top, including the genital area.
Crotch is usually neutral, but often informal and can be considered direct or slightly coarse when referring to the body part. in register.
Crotch: in British English it is pronounced /krɒtʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /krɑːtʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “shot to the crotch”
- “crotch cricket (slang for pubic lice)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CROTCH as the CROSS-ROaD where your legs meeT CH each other.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A TREE (the legs are trunks, the crotch is the fork).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'crotch' LEAST likely to be used formally?