faeces
C1Formal, technical, medical
Definition
Meaning
The solid waste material that is released from the bowels of a person or animal.
In a broader sense, can refer to any waste matter, excrement, or dregs.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a scientific or formal term for bodily waste. The word often implies a clinical or detached perspective compared to more common terms.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'faeces' is the standard British spelling; 'feces' is the standard American spelling.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties—formal/technical.
Frequency
More common in British English due to spelling retention. In American English, 'stool' or 'bowel movement' are more frequent in medical contexts, and 'poop' or 'crap' informally.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Analysis of [noun] faecesContamination with faecesThe faeces of [animal]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms directly with 'faeces'; related: 'full of shit', 'talk shit']”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Extremely rare, except in waste management or sanitation industries.
Academic
Common in medical, biological, and public health research.
Everyday
Very rare; considered overly clinical or blunt.
Technical
Standard term in medical diagnostics, veterinary science, and microbiology.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The dog had faecated on the pavement.
- The area was faecally contaminated.
American English
- The dog had defecated on the sidewalk.
- The area was fecally contaminated.
adverb
British English
- The sample tested faecally positive for the pathogen.
American English
- The sample tested fecally positive for the pathogen.
adjective
British English
- Faecal matter was found in the water supply.
- A faecal odour permeated the room.
American English
- Fecal matter was found in the water supply.
- A fecal odor permeated the room.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The vet asked for a sample of the cat's faeces.
- Public health warnings were issued after faeces were found in the pool.
- The laboratory analysis of the patient's faeces confirmed a parasitic infection.
- Archaeologists study ancient faeces to learn about historic diets.
- The contamination of the watershed with agricultural faeces led to a severe outbreak of E. coli.
- The study involved the metagenomic sequencing of human faecal microbiota.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'FAECES' = 'Formal Assessment of Excrement, Clinical & Scientific'.
Conceptual Metaphor
WASTE AS REFUSE / DREGS (e.g., 'the faeces of society').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'фекалии' (direct equivalent, same register). The more common Russian 'кал' is also clinical. The informal Russian 'говно' maps to 'shit', not 'faeces'.
Common Mistakes
- Mispronouncing as /feɪsɪz/ (like 'faces').
- Using in casual conversation where 'poop' or 'number two' is expected.
- Misspelling as 'feaces'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'faeces' MOST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Faeces' is a more general, scientific term for solid bodily waste from any animal. 'Stool' is also clinical but is used more specifically for human waste in a medical context (e.g., 'stool sample').
It is a plural noun (treated similarly to 'data' or 'bacteria'). The singular, rarely used, is 'faex' (Latin origin). In practice, it is used with plural verbs (e.g., 'The faeces were analysed').
You would use it in formal, scientific, medical, or legal contexts where precision and detachment are required. It avoids the vulgarity of 'shit' and the childishness of 'poop'.
Pronounce it as FEE-seez (/ˈfiː.siːz/). The first syllable rhymes with 'see', not 'say'.