dogshit: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Vulgar slang; highly informal and offensive.
Quick answer
What does “dogshit” mean?
The excrement of a dog.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The excrement of a dog.
Something extremely bad, worthless, or of very low quality; used as a vulgar intensifier to express contempt.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage and core meaning are identical in both varieties. Spelling is consistently one word.
Connotations
Equally vulgar and offensive in both dialects. No significant difference in connotation.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English corpus data, but common in both.
Grammar
How to Use “dogshit” in a Sentence
[BE] + dogshit[Subject] + be + absolute dogshitThis + [Noun Phrase] + is + dogshitVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dogshit” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He completely dogshitted that presentation.
- Don't dogshit the project plan.
American English
- The contractor totally dogshitted the repairs.
- He dogshits every task he's given.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare and unacceptable in formal business communication; could be used in highly informal, frustrated contexts among close colleagues.
Academic
Never used in academic writing or formal speech.
Everyday
Used in very casual, often male-dominated, peer-group conversations to express strong disapproval. Requires careful consideration of audience due to high offensiveness.
Technical
No technical usage.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dogshit”
- Using it in formal or mixed company.
- Misspelling as two words ('dog shit'). While the two-word form exists for the literal meaning, the compounded form is standard for the figurative slang.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, significantly. 'Dogshit' is considered vulgar and highly offensive, while 'crap' is coarse and 'rubbish' is informal but generally inoffensive.
Yes, but with great risk. It can be used for hyperbolic, self-deprecating humour among close friends who share a very informal register. Misjudging the audience will cause offence.
The literal use refers specifically to canine faeces. The figurative use is a general-purpose vulgar intensifier for anything considered very bad or worthless. Context always makes the meaning clear.
Yes. People often use 'dogsh*t', 'dogshite', 'doggie doo', or simply avoid the term altogether in favour of less offensive synonyms like 'garbage', 'rubbish', or 'terrible'.
The excrement of a dog.
Dogshit is usually vulgar slang; highly informal and offensive. in register.
Dogshit: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɒɡʃɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɔːɡʃɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “not worth a pile of dogshit”
- “dogshit luck”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine stepping in DOG excrement (SHIT) – the feeling of disgust and annoyance is what the word conveys about something's quality.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORTHLESS OBJECT IS EXCREMENT.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the use of 'dogshit' be MOST inappropriate?