noun Uncommon

arse

ahs

Arse (noun) means the buttocks; the backside. Example: “He slipped on the ice and landed flat on his arse.”

noun

The buttocks; the backside.

"He slipped on the ice and landed flat on his arse."

An annoying, stupid, or contemptible person.

"Stop being such an arse about the whole thing."

verb

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 notes

In 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.

Word forms

arsed past tense, arses plural, arses singular

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Etymology

From Old English ears, a very old Germanic word for the buttocks — related to German Arsch and Dutch aars.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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can behind bottom seat rear tail butt stern bum fanny posterior buns

Related words

can could may late john hit behind march

Rhymes for arse

hoarse coarse hearse sparse rehearse

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."

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can could may late john hit behind march