noun

sod

noun

A layer of grass-covered soil held together by roots; turf.

"They laid fresh sod over the bare patches of the lawn."

British slang for a person, often used with a mild insult or in pity.

"Poor sod, he's been stuck in traffic for two hours."

How to Use Sod

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA patch of grassy turf, or, informally in British English, a person (often a fellow you're annoyed with or feel sorry for).

When to use it

The "person" sense is informal British slang and can be mildly vulgar depending on context.

Common pairings

lay sod poor sod lazy sod

Word Forms

more sod comparative, sodded past tense, sodded past tense, sods plural, sods plural, sods plural, sods plural, sods singular, sods singular, most sod superlative

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They laid fresh _____ over the bare patches of the lawn.

Etymology

From Middle English sod/sodde, related to Middle Dutch and Low German words for turf, of uncertain deeper origin.