bollocks

USAGE SUMMARY

Sentence The word 'bollocks' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an informal term used to express disappointment or disbelief. For example, you can say: "That's a load of bollocks!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And he has taught English for 30 years and is adept at translating bollocks.

The Guardian

"It's bollocks," says Gatiss of the list.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"All you need to play football is one ball and two bollocks" – so does Rayo coach Paco Jémez.

The Guardian - Sport

1-0 down in a minute, there's no story … There were few fouls, few bollocks, and that hurts me.

The Guardian - Sport

American acceptance of it and of Billy Elliot are evidence that, despite all the fannies and bollocks, some British film-makers are managing to break the US market on their own terms.

The Guardian - Film

Likewise a censored version of Blake Edwards's 10 on network TV 20 years ago, when every rude word was excised - except for the Englishman abroad's multi-applicable code word: bollocks.

The Guardian - Film

After keeping them in the fridge for a while, he cooked them and served his friends a meal of steaming hot bollocks.

The Guardian - Arts

His car registration plate is M16 WMD ("It's a sort of up yours!"), and when I use the word "bollocks" a few minutes later, his face lights up and he is off again: "That was one of my great quotes!" At last week's Fifa congress he told a journalist that Blatter's speech was bollocks.

The Guardian

Iribar, Iribar, Iribar is the bollocks; there's no one like him.

The Guardian - Sport

You cannot win hearts and minds on facts when nobody can agree on them, particularly when the "facts" are often speculative at best; brazen bold-faced billy bollocks at worst.

The Guardian

"Big pink bollocks".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bollocks" to mean testicles, consider the context and whether a more clinical or polite term would be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "bollocks" in formal writing or professional settings where a more neutral or polite term is required.

Linguistic Context

The word "bollocks" functions primarily as a noun, referring to testicles or, more commonly, to express disbelief or dismissal of something considered untrue. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "bollocks" is used to negate or discredit statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

25%

Film

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "bollocks" is a versatile word with multiple meanings, primarily used as a noun for testicles or, more commonly, to express disbelief or dismiss something as nonsense. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently found in News & Media, Sport, and Film contexts. While grammatically correct, its informal and potentially offensive nature requires careful consideration of the audience and setting. It's best to avoid "bollocks" in formal or professional communication, opting for more neutral alternatives like "nonsense" or "rubbish". When aiming to communicate strong disagreement or contempt in a less offensive way, phrases such as "balderdash" or "hogwash" can be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nonsense

A general term for something considered untrue or meaningless.

rubbish

Similar to nonsense, but can also imply worthlessness.

balderdash

An older, more humorous term for nonsense.

hogwash

Implies that something is not only untrue but also contemptible.

crap

A more vulgar synonym for nonsense or something of poor quality.

bullshit

Similar to crap but slightly more forceful.

poppycock

A more lighthearted way to dismiss something as untrue or silly.

drivel

Suggests that something is foolish, annoying, and nonsensical.

twaddle

A mild term for trivial or foolish talk.

malarkey

American slang for deceptive or foolish talk.

FAQs

How can "bollocks" be used in a sentence?

You can use "bollocks" as a noun meaning testicles, as an interjection to express disbelief or frustration, or as a verb meaning to ruin something. For example: "That's a load of "nonsense"!"; "Oh "Horlicks", I forgot my keys!"; "The telly's "bollocksed"."

What are some alternatives to the word "bollocks"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "nonsense", "rubbish", or "balderdash" if you mean it in the sense of untrue or absurd statements. If you mean testicles, use the word "testicles".

Is it appropriate to use "bollocks" in formal writing?

No, "bollocks" is generally considered informal and can be offensive. It is best to avoid it in formal writing and professional settings. You can use alternative words like "nonsense" or "rubbish" in formal settings.

What does it mean to say something is "bollocks"?

Saying something is "bollocks" means that it is untrue, absurd, or of poor quality. It expresses disbelief or dismissal of a statement or idea. It's similar to saying it's "bullshit" or "crap".