Home British & World English arse

Definition of arse in English:

arse

noun

vulgar slang

  • 1A person's buttocks or anus.

    backside, bottom, behind, seat, rump, rear, rear end, cheeks, hindquarters, haunches

  • 2A stupid, irritating, or contemptible person.

    idiot, ass, halfwit, nincompoop, blockhead, buffoon, dunce, dolt, ignoramus, cretin, imbecile, dullard, moron, simpleton, clod
    scoundrel, villain, rogue, rascal, brute, animal, weasel, snake, monster, ogre, wretch, devil, good-for-nothing, reprobate, wrongdoer, evil-doer

verb

vulgar slang

  • 1arse about/aroundno object Behave in a stupid way; waste time.

  • 2arse something upwith object Make a botched attempt at something.

  • 3can't be arsedNot want to do something because one has no interest in or enthusiasm for it.

Phrases

    arse about face
    British vulgar slang

    • Contrary to what is usual, expected, or logical.

      ‘he felt disoriented: everything seemed to be arse about face’
    arse over tit
    British vulgar slang

    • So as to fall over in a sudden or dramatic way.

    get one's arse into gear
    British vulgar slang

    • Start to do something with energy, determination, or speed.

    my arse!
    British vulgar slang

    • Used to convey that one does not believe something that has just been said.

    not know one's arse from one's elbow
    British vulgar slang

    • Be totally ignorant or incompetent.

    talk out of one's arse
    British vulgar slang

    • Talk rubbish.

    get off one's arse
    British vulgar slang

    • Stop being lazy.

    up your arse!
    British vulgar slang

    • Used to express contempt for someone or something.

Origin

Old English ærs, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch aars and German Arsch. See also ass.

Pronunciation

arse

/ɑːs/