ass in English: The American word for the part of the body you sit on, and a common insult for someone behaving stupidly. It once meant a donkey, but that sense is now old. Medium strength. The British spell and say it "arse". Recognise it, do not use it. (noun)

Translation

The American word for the part of the body you sit on, and a common insult for someone behaving stupidly. It once meant a donkey, but that sense is now old. Medium strength. The British spell and say it "arse". Recognise it, do not use it.

Word origin

A spelling of "arse" that lost its r in American speech, then swallowed the older, separate word for a donkey.

Origin: Old English
Root: aers

Examples

ladder .

The everyday American use. A British speaker would say "arse" or "bum".

.

Calling a person an ass says they are behaving stupidly.

, .

Means hurry up, and it is only said to someone you know well.

Related words

arse

The British word for the part of the body you sit on, and for a person behaving stupidly. The same word and the same medium strength as the American "ass". Recognise it, do not use it.

butt

A mild, mostly American word for the part of the body you sit on. Light and everyday: fine among friends and heard all over television, but not a word for a formal room. The British say "bum". Recognise it, do not use it.

stupid

Showing very little thought or good sense; the opposite of clever.

rude

Not kind or polite; speaking or acting in a way that upsets other people.

body

The whole physical part of a person or animal.

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