stoush: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Colloquial
Quick answer
What does “stoush” mean?
A fight, brawl, or violent argument.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fight, brawl, or violent argument.
Used colloquially to refer to any vigorous dispute, conflict, or heated exchange, not necessarily physical.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
It is not standard in British or American English. Its use in those dialects would be recognised as an Australianism/New Zealandism, often used for deliberate local colour.
Connotations
In UK/US, it carries connotations of Australasian informality and may sound quaint or humorous.
Frequency
Extremely rare to non-existent in general UK/US use.
Grammar
How to Use “stoush” in a Sentence
have a stoush (with NP)get into a stoush (with NP)stoush (NP)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stoush” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The two politicians are set to stoush it out in a televised debate.
- He was known for stoushing with journalists.
American English
- (Rare, but for effect) Commentators said the candidates would stoush over trade policy.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard) -
American English
- (Not standard) -
adjective
British English
- (Rare, usually 'stoushy') He's a bit of a stoushy character.
- A stoush-filled election campaign.
American English
- (Virtually never used) -
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, but possible in Australian business journalism for a public corporate dispute. 'The boardroom stoush spilled over into the media.'
Academic
Virtually never used.
Everyday
Informal Australian/NZ use for any fight or argument. 'The kids had a stoush over the remote.'
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stoush”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Using it outside an Australian/NZ context without intending a specific stylistic effect.
- Spelling as 'stouch' or 'stoushe'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is strictly informal and colloquial.
Yes, especially in Australian English (e.g., 'to stoush with someone').
Probably not immediately. It would likely be understood from context as a kind of fight, but its Australasian origin would be marked.
It is believed to have originated in the late 19th century, possibly from a British dialectal word related to 'stushie' (disturbance) or influenced by German 'stauschen' (to beat).
A fight, brawl, or violent argument.
Stoush: in British English it is pronounced /staʊʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /staʊʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A bit of biff and stoush (referring to physical, sporting conflict).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a STOUT person getting into a pUSH-and-shove – a STOUSH.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONFLICT IS PHYSICAL COMBAT.
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'stoush' a standard, informal word?