Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

bollock

/ˈbɒ.lək/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 1.79 in modern English

Syllables: bol-lock
IPA: /ˈbɒ.lək/

15

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

2

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

British usage

verb

To reprimand severely and grossly.

British usage; Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"You've got a bollock hanging out of your shorts."
"The boss bollocked me for coming in late."
"The goalkeeper gave his defenders a bollocking when they made a mistake."

Etymology

From Middle English ballok, from Old English bealluc (“testicle”, literally “little ball”). By surface analysis, ball + -ock.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: ballok, bealluc

Regional Pronunciation

British English: /ˈbɒ.lək/

Usage

British usage
Transitive verb

Inflected Forms

bollocks (plural) ballock (alternative, Ireland) bollocks (present, singular) bollocking (participle, present) bollocked (participle, past) bollocked (past)

Derived Forms

bollocky bollocking

Phrases

bollock dagger bollock naked bollock sack drop a bollock stark bollock naked

Synonyms

bullock block testis testicle orchis ball ballock nut egg

Questions

How do you pronounce bollock?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈbɒ.lək/.
What does bollock mean?: A testicle.
Where does bollock come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce bollock

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “bollock”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈbɒ.lək/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “bollock”.
Repeat and practice — Say “bollock” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.