poop
mediuminformal
Definition
Meaning
A childish, informal, or euphemistic word for solid waste matter discharged from the bowels.
Can refer to the act of defecating, tiredness, or the stern of a ship.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In its primary meaning, it is a softening of 'shit', used especially with or by children, and is considered less vulgar but still informal. The unrelated nautical term for the stern part of a ship is formal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The defecation/feces meaning is common in both. In American English, 'poop out' meaning to tire/exhaust is more frequent. The nautical term is shared.
Connotations
Connotes childishness, mild humour, or necessary euphemism (e.g., 'doggie poop'). Often considered slightly more polite than 'shit' in mixed company.
Frequency
Very frequent in child-directed speech and pet-related contexts in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[SUBJ] poop[SUBJ] poop (ADV)[SUBJ] be pooped (from something)[SUBJ] poop outVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “poop out (to stop working or become exhausted)”
- “party pooper (someone who spoils the fun)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used; use 'failure', 'fatigue', or 'stern' (nautical).
Academic
Not used; use 'defecate', 'feces', 'excrement', or 'stern'. Medical: 'stool'.
Everyday
Common in informal and family contexts, especially relating to children or pets.
Technical
Nautical: the sternmost, highest deck of a ship ('poop deck').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The puppy pooped on the new rug.
- I need to poop before we leave.
- He's just pooped and wants his nappy changed.
American English
- I think the baby just pooped.
- Don't poop in the pool!
- The long hike pooped us all out.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
American English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- I'm absolutely pooped after that meeting.
- (Used as past participle 'pooped' meaning exhausted)
American English
- She felt too pooped to pop to the party.
- The pooped puppy plopped down.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My dog did a poop in the garden.
- The baby pooped in his nappy.
- You must clean up after your dog and pick up its poop.
- I was so pooped after the football match.
- The comedian's routine was full of childish poop jokes.
- The old printer finally pooped out after years of service.
- From the poop deck, the captain surveyed the calm sea behind the vessel.
- The project started well but pooped out due to lack of funding.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a dog on a LOOP, chasing its own tail, then stopping to POOP.
Conceptual Metaphor
WASTE/EXHAUSTION IS WASTE PRODUCT (e.g., 'I'm pooped' links tiredness to being emptied like the bowels).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'pup' (щенок). The Russian 'пуп' is 'navel' (belly button). The word 'какать/какашки' is the direct pragmatic equivalent for the childish term.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He pooped on the sofa' (can imply defecated ON the sofa, not just near it). Confusing 'poop' (verb/noun) with 'poor' (adjective) in pronunciation (/pʊə/ vs /puːp/).
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is a formal, technical meaning of 'poop'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal and childish, but not generally considered rude or highly offensive like 'shit'. It is acceptable in many casual or family contexts.
Both are informal. 'Poop' is softer, more childish/euphemistic. 'Crap' is stronger, more adult, and can also mean 'rubbish' or 'nonsense'.
Yes. As a verb/noun, it can mean to become exhausted or to stop functioning ('poop out'). As a noun, it is also a nautical term for the stern of a ship ('poop deck').
Yes, it's a common informal American English expression meaning 'I'm very tired'. It's understood in British English but less frequently used.
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