excrement
C1Formal, Technical
Definition
Meaning
The waste matter discharged from the bowels; faeces.
Any waste substance or by-product expelled from a living organism. In the broadest sense, can metaphorically refer to anything worthless or foul.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is strongly marked for formal and biological/scientific contexts. In everyday conversation, more common synonyms are used. It refers specifically to fecal matter, not urine.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British technical or formal writing.
Connotations
Both varieties: Clinical, impersonal, sometimes used for deliberate euphemism or to sound scientific.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech for both, but comparable in technical/scientific registers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N of excrementAdj + excrementV + excrement (e.g., analyse, contain)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specifically with 'excrement'. The concept features in idioms like 'full of shit', 'talk crap'.]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in biology, medicine, public health, and anthropology papers.
Everyday
Avoided in polite conversation; more vulgar synonyms or euphemisms preferred.
Technical
Standard term in medical, veterinary, zoological, and sanitation contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The animal was excreting waste near the path.
- The process whereby the body excretes unwanted matter is complex.
American English
- The lab studied how the insects excrete.
- The system is designed to excrete toxins efficiently.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form. 'Excrementally' is non-standard/rare.]
American English
- [No standard adverbial form. 'Excrementally' is non-standard/rare.]
adjective
British English
- The excremental matter was sent for analysis.
- They discussed the excremental habits of the species.
American English
- An excremental sample was collected.
- The report covered excremental physiology.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- [Level too low for this word. Not introduced at A2.]
- The doctor asked for a sample.
- Dog owners must clean up their pet's waste.
- Public health officials were concerned about the contamination of the water supply with animal excrement.
- The archaeological study included analysis of ancient human excrement to understand diet.
- The legislation imposes strict limits on the disposal of livestock excrement to prevent nitrate pollution.
- His polemic dismissed the entire opposing argument as nothing more than intellectual excrement.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'EXit CREature's MeNTal waste' – what exits a creature, from its ment (old word for mind/body).
Conceptual Metaphor
WASTE IS FILTH / WASTE IS USELESS (e.g., 'His report was pure excrement.')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'экскременты' (which is a direct but very formal/literary cognate). In casual Russian, 'кал' is medical, while 'дерьмо', 'говно' are vulgar equivalents. The register mismatch is the main trap.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing it as /ɛkˈskriːmənt/ (stress on second syllable).
- Using it in casual conversation where it sounds oddly clinical or pretentious.
- Confusing it with 'excrete' (the verb).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'excrement' be MOST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not impolite, but it is very formal and clinical. In most social situations, euphemisms like 'number two', 'poo', or 'stool' (medical) are preferred to avoid awkwardness.
They are largely synonymous. 'Excrement' can sometimes refer to any bodily waste (including urine, though this is less common), while 'faeces' is strictly solid waste from the bowels. 'Faeces' is also slightly more technical/medical.
No. The related verb is 'excrete'. 'Excrement' is only a noun.
Yes, though it's a strong and derogatory metaphor. Calling an idea, piece of work, or product 'excrement' means it is worthless, offensive, or of very poor quality.