butt

Everyday

1. (informal, US; mildly rude) The bottom, the part you sit on. tree →
2. The thick end of a tool or gun; the end of a cigarette that is left. tree →
3. The butt of a joke: the person people laugh at. tree →
4. (verb) To hit something with your head, like a goat. tree →
5. Butt in (informal): to interrupt rudely. tree →
6. A large barrel for water or wine: a water butt (UK). tree →

In the lessons

In everyday US talk butt is a mild word for bottom; it is said by children but not in formal writing. In science and farm stories, goats butt with their heads. In the UK, a water butt collects rainwater from the roof — a lesson on saving water. Phrases: butt in, the butt of the joke, butt heads, kick butt (slang).

Examples

• He slipped and landed on his butt. tree →
• Please don't butt in when I'm talking. tree →
• The goat butted the gate. tree →
• He was always the butt of their jokes. tree →
• We use the water from the water butt for the garden. tree →
• The ground was covered in cigarette butts. tree →
• (slang) Our team is going to kick butt today! tree →
• The Bull quietly addressed him: “Butt away as much as you will. tree →

Note

Do not confuse with but (a joining word): «I like it, but...». In the UK the common mild word is bum. Butt is not as rude as arse or ass, but avoid it in formal writing.