arse

Arse is a vulgar British English noun referring to the buttocks. It is the informal or coarse counterpart of the American term “ass.” In addition to its anatomical sense, arse functions as an insult or as a descriptor of foolish or annoying behavior, as in phrases like “What an arse.”

As a verb, arse appears in phrasal forms such as arse around or arse about, meaning to waste time or to behave in a lazy or foolish manner. The expressions are characteristic of informal, conversational British English and are typically avoided in formal writing.

Etymology and cognates: the word is of uncertain origin but is closely related to the same root as “ass” for the donkey, and has cognates in other Germanic languages, such as German Arsch. The British spelling arse reflects historical pronunciation and orthography that diverge from the American spelling.

Usage and register: arse is widely understood in English-speaking regions, especially in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and is common in jokes, casual conversation, and some media. It is considered vulgar and rude in many contexts, so it is usually avoided in polite company, professional writing, and formal discourse. Care should be taken with intensity and audience, as stronger compounds (for example arsehole or variations) can be highly offensive.

See also: buttocks, donkey, insult.