horseshit: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (due to vulgarity)Vulgar, slang, highly informal.
Quick answer
What does “horseshit” mean?
Nonsense, lies, or exaggerated, ridiculous statements.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Nonsense, lies, or exaggerated, ridiculous statements.
Can refer to any situation, behavior, or object that is considered worthless, deceitful, or of very poor quality.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally vulgar and understood in both varieties. Slightly more prevalent in American English, but not uncommon in UK informal speech.
Connotations
Strong contempt, dismissal, or anger. Implies the speaker believes something is not just wrong, but offensively stupid or deceitful.
Frequency
Used more frequently in spoken language among peers in informal settings. Rare in writing except for deliberate, coarse effect.
Grammar
How to Use “horseshit” in a Sentence
That's [horseshit].He's talking [horseshit].I call [horseshit] on that claim.Don't give me that [horseshit].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “horseshit” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He's just horseshitting his way through the interview.
- Stop horseshitting me and tell the truth.
American English
- Politicians will horseshit their way through any debate.
- Don't horseshit a horseshitter.
adverb
British English
- The project failed horseshit spectacularly.
- He acted horseshit crazy during the meeting.
American English
- The deal fell apart horseshit fast.
- She was driving horseshit slow.
adjective
British English
- That's a horseshit plan from start to finish.
- He gave some horseshit excuse about traffic.
American English
- This is horseshit legislation.
- I'm tired of his horseshit attitude.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely inappropriate. Could be used angrily in private among close colleagues, but carries high professional risk.
Academic
Completely inappropriate and unacceptable.
Everyday
Used in very informal settings among friends or in moments of high frustration. Not for mixed company or public discourse.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “horseshit”
- Using it in formal or semi-formal writing.
- Using it with superiors or strangers.
- Overusing it, which can make the speaker sound crass.
- Misspelling as 'horse shit' (though sometimes accepted, the closed compound is standard for the slang term).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are generally considered to be of equal offensive strength. 'Bullshit' is arguably more common, but both are strong vulgarisms.
Yes, but cautiously. Among friends who share a similar coarse sense of humor, it can be used for hyperbolic, humorous effect. The risk of causing offense remains high.
In modern usage referring to the slang term for 'nonsense', it is almost always closed ('horseshit'). The open form 'horse shit' typically refers to the literal excrement.
Acceptability is defined by audience tolerance for vulgarity. It is generally acceptable only in very informal, private settings among consenting adults who do not find such language offensive. It is never acceptable in professional, academic, public, or polite formal contexts.
Nonsense, lies, or exaggerated, ridiculous statements.
Horseshit is usually vulgar, slang, highly informal. in register.
Horseshit: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɔːsʃɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɔːrsʃɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “That's a load of horseshit.”
- “Don't feed me that horseshit.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone trying to sell you fertilizer made from HORSE manure, claiming it's gold. You'd say, "That's not gold, that's just HORSE(SHIT)!" — meaning worthless lies.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORTHLESS IDEAS ARE EXCREMENT.
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts would using the word 'horseshit' be LEAST appropriate?