Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

buttock

/ˈbʌtək/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 2.48 in modern English

Syllables: but-tock
IPA: /ˈbʌtək/

15

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Each of the two large fleshy halves of the posterior part of the body between the base of the back, the perineum, and the top of the legs.

noun

The convexity of a ship behind, under the stern.

Example Sentences

"Run, run, come you hither / Novv, take all my Cuſhions dovvn and thvvack them ſoundly, / After my Feaſt of Millers: for their Buttocks / Have left a peck of flovver in them, beat them carefully […]"
"There came a blast of freezing wind that made Skell shrug himself against the oaken post on which the ship's buttock rested."

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English buttok, probably from Old English buttuc (“end; end piece”; also, “short piece of land”). Attested with its current anatomical meaning since 1300. A diminutive form of what is presumably the Old English precursor of butt + -ock (diminutive suffix).

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: buttok, buttuc

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈbʌtək/
British English: /ˈbʌtək/

Inflected Forms

buttocks (plural)

Derived Forms

buttocked buttocker buttockless buttocklike buttocky quakebuttock

Phrases

buttock cleavage buttock-clenching buttock line buttock mail cross-buttock fat-buttocked mouse buttock

Frequently Paired Words

callipygian callipygous dasypygal

Synonyms

asscheek cheek 'tocks arse arse cheeks ass ass cheeks back backside batty behind blessed assurance

Questions

How do you pronounce buttock?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈbʌtək/.
What does buttock mean?: Each of the two large fleshy halves of the posterior part of the body between the base of the back, the perineum, and the top of the legs.
Where does buttock come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce buttock

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