shouse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very low / Extremely rareSlang / Vulgar / Very informal
Quick answer
What does “shouse” mean?
A colloquial or slang portmanteau word meaning 'shithouse,' typically used to describe something of extremely poor quality, or as a crude intensifier.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A colloquial or slang portmanteau word meaning 'shithouse,' typically used to describe something of extremely poor quality, or as a crude intensifier.
Can refer to a very unpleasant, chaotic, or disastrous situation or thing; also used in Australian slang to refer to a lavatory or toilet.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word itself is not standard in either variety. In the UK, it might be recognized as very coarse slang. In the US, it is virtually unknown and likely to be misunderstood.
Connotations
Strongly negative, vulgar, and dismissive. Conveys extreme contempt or disgust.
Frequency
Extremely rare and non-standard in both dialects. Possibly slightly more recognized in Australia/New Zealand than in the UK or US.
Grammar
How to Use “shouse” in a Sentence
{Subject} be {determiner} shouseWhat a shouse!Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shouse” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The service at that pub was absolutely shouse.
- This weather is proper shouse.
American English
- That movie was a total shouse.
- I feel shouse after that meal.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never appropriate.
Academic
Never appropriate.
Everyday
Only in extremely informal, vulgar contexts among familiar peers who understand the slang.
Technical
No usage.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shouse”
- Using it in any formal or semi-formal context.
- Assuming it is a standard English word.
- Overestimating how widely it is understood.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not a word found in standard dictionaries. It exists only as non-standard, vulgar slang, primarily in Australian English and to a lesser extent in British informal speech.
Absolutely not. It is inappropriate for its vulgarity and non-standard status. Using it would negatively impact your score.
'Rubbish' is a standard, albeit informal, British English word for something of low quality. 'Shouse' is a much stronger, vulgar, and non-standard term conveying extreme contempt.
It has the strongest recognition in Australian and New Zealand slang. In the UK, it is very niche and coarse. In the US, it is largely unknown and likely to cause confusion.
A colloquial or slang portmanteau word meaning 'shithouse,' typically used to describe something of extremely poor quality, or as a crude intensifier.
Shouse is usually slang / vulgar / very informal in register.
Shouse: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃaʊs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃaʊs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HOUSE that's full of SH*T = SHOUSE (something terrible).
Conceptual Metaphor
QUALITY IS STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY (a broken/dirty house represents poor quality).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'shouse' be MOST appropriate?