noun
pillock
Pillock (noun) means British informal term for a stupid or annoying person. Example: “Don't be such a pillock — you've locked the keys inside again.”
noun
1
British informal term for a stupid or annoying person.
"What is it now, you great pillock?"
— Monty Python's Flying Circus, The Butcher Who is Alternately Rude and Polite (1970)
"Don't be such a pillock — you've locked the keys inside again."
"Take your Typhoon up there and swat the annoying mosquito out of the sky by challenging the infantile pillock to a classic World-War-II-era dogfight like a real man, to show them who the real king of European airspace is."
— Bosnian Ape Society, 3:55 from the start (2021)
How to use pillock
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA mild British insult meaning idiot or fool.
When to use it
Informal and mainly British; comparable in tone to "muppet" or "plonker."
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- pillocks
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Don't be such a _____ — you've locked the keys inside again.
Etymology
Originally slang for "penis" in the 16th century, later softened into a general insult for a foolish person.
Class of 1500
pillock joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “pillock” mean?
The word “pillock” means british informal term for a stupid or annoying person. In plain terms, a mild British insult meaning idiot or fool.
How do you use “pillock” in a sentence?
Here is “pillock” used in a sentence: “Don't be such a pillock — you've locked the keys inside again.”
What part of speech is “pillock”?
“Pillock” is a noun.
Where does the word “pillock” come from?
The word “pillock” dates back to around 1500.
