noun
Uncommon
arse
ahs
Arse (noun) means the buttocks; the backside. Example: “He slipped on the ice and landed flat on his arse.”
noun
1
The buttocks; the backside.
"He slipped on the ice and landed flat on his arse."
2
An annoying, stupid, or contemptible person.
"Stop being such an arse about the whole thing."
verb
1
To mess around or act foolishly (often as "arse about" or "arse around").
"They spent the afternoon arsing about instead of working."
How to use arse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBritish slang for the backside — also used to call someone an idiot or describe messing about.
When to use it
Informal and mildly vulgar British English; the American equivalent is "ass."
UK vs US
UK uses "arse"; US typically uses "ass" for the same meanings.
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Word forms
- Plural
- arses
- Third person singular
- arses
- Past tense
- arsed
Etymology
From Old English ears, a very old Germanic word for the buttocks — related to German Arsch and Dutch aars.
Related words
Rhymes for arse
See all rhymes for arse →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of arse?
"arse" (noun) means the buttocks; the backside.
What is another word for arse?
Other words for "arse" include can, behind, bottom, seat, rear, tail.
What are the different meanings of arse?
"arse" has 3 main meanings: 1. The buttocks; the backside; 2. An annoying, stupid, or contemptible person; 3. To mess around or act foolishly (often as "arse about" or "arse around").
How do you use arse in a sentence?
Example: "He slipped on the ice and landed flat on his arse."
