arses
|ar-ses|
🇺🇸
/ˈɑrsɪz/
🇬🇧
/ˈɑːsɪz/
(arse)
rear; buttocks
Etymology
'arse' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'ærs', where the root meant 'buttock'.
'arse' changed from Old English 'ærs' and Middle English forms such as 'ars' and eventually became the modern English 'arse'; it has cognates in other Germanic languages (e.g. German 'Arsch', Dutch 'aars').
Initially, it meant 'buttock' and over time retained that primary sense while also developing vulgar figurative uses meaning 'a contemptible or foolish person'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'arse': the buttocks; (vulgar) the rear part of the body.
They sat on their arses all afternoon.
Synonyms
Noun 2
(Vulgar, offensive) people regarded as stupid, annoying, or contemptible; fools or jerks.
Don't be such arses — help out instead of complaining.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Verb 1
third-person singular form of 'arse' (informal British): to behave stupidly or to waste time; to treat someone in an annoying or careless way (often used with particles like 'about' or 'around').
He arses about at work while everyone else is busy.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/10/21 02:53