buttocks

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "buttocks" is correct and usable in written English.
The word can be used to refer to the two rounded portions of the buttocks. For example, "She admired her firm and toned buttocks in the mirror."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He recounts joining a reprisal party in the mid-1860s, while mayor, for the killers of a shepherd: "They got on top of a big mound & defied us & smacked their buttocks at us & hurled large stones down on us, & hid themselves behind large trees and huge rocks but some of them paid dearly for their bravado.

The Guardian

That way of communicating could cause controversies, too – when they performed the song that gave name to the documentary on The Word in 1992, Sparks dropped her trousers on stage, blasting her pixellated buttocks into UK homes.

The Guardian - Music

I'm regularly overtaken by men in banana-yellow Lycra, my view of the road suddenly obscured by a disgustingly precise representation of their pumping buttocks.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Now I can hardly move my arms, and my buttocks ache.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Among the people here, it's not unusual to see survivors bearing the LRA's characteristic butcher marks: missing noses, lips, ears, buttocks and hands.

The Guardian

Just six weeks after they'd materialized in a flurry of buttocks and hubris, we found ourselves laying a wreath by the pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood's upturned boots.

The Guardian

It is no boast to say I was a clever thief, but still I went to prison where I found security in a world that had rejected me, offering up my mobile buttocks to anyone who showed interest.

The Guardian - Books

It depicts a giant alien-black-woman coming down from the sky and inflating the buttocks of three white women, via the anus, with tentacles produced from her mouth.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The sight of the girls would make them dive off the tables and show everyone their buttocks.

The Guardian - Travel

It was a technological advance Dunphy would use to comical effect some years later, pausing the action during a highlights package featuring Wimbledon to draw a large circle around John Hartson's ample buttocks and declare "that is not the arse of a £7m player".

The Guardian - Sport

Of course, no label was stitched to his buttocks to say "Old England", as might once have been the case in a Punch cartoon, but the implication was plain enough, and faintly surprising in a society that frowns, at least officially, on national stereotypes and stories that relate the doings of a Welshman, an Irishman, etc.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical attributes, use "buttocks" to provide a clear and anatomically correct reference, especially in formal or medical contexts.

Common error

While terms like "bottom" or "rear" might be acceptable in casual conversation, using "buttocks" ensures precision and avoids ambiguity in professional or academic writing.

Linguistic Context

The noun "buttocks" functions as a plural noun referring to the two rounded parts of the human body located on the posterior. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable. The examples show its use in describing anatomy, injuries, and physical attributes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "buttocks" is a grammatically sound and frequently used plural noun, employed to denote the rounded portions of the posterior human anatomy. As Ludwig AI validates, its application spans across diverse contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific literature. While more precise than casual alternatives like "bottom" or "rear", it maintains a neutral register suitable for professional communication. Remember to consider your audience and context when choosing between "buttocks" and its synonyms, ensuring clarity and avoiding unintended informality. Alternatives such as "gluteal region" can often function as suitable replacements in professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Bottom

A simple and general term referring to the lower part of the torso.

Behind

A common and less explicit term for the buttocks.

Cheeks

A casual term referring to the two rounded parts of the buttocks.

Rear end

An informal and general term for the back part of the body.

Buns

An informal and often affectionate term for the buttocks.

Posterior

A more formal and anatomical term for the rear part of the body.

Derrière

A French-derived term often used humorously or euphemistically.

Gluteal region

A medical term referring to the area where the gluteus muscles are located.

Seat

A less direct term referring to the part of the body one sits on.

Haunches

A term that can refer to the hip and buttock area, often used for animals but sometimes applied to humans.

FAQs

How do I use "buttocks" in a sentence?

You can use "buttocks" to describe a part of the body, such as "The weightlifter strained his "gluteus maximus" during the lift" or "The doctor examined the patient's "lower back" and "buttock area"".

What's a more formal synonym for "buttocks"?

A more formal synonym is "gluteal region", which is often used in medical or anatomical contexts.

Is it appropriate to use "buttocks" in professional writing?

Yes, "buttocks" is generally acceptable in professional writing when the context requires a clear and anatomically correct term. However, consider your audience and the tone of your writing. In some cases, a more clinical term like "posterior" might be preferable.

What are some less formal terms for "buttocks"?

Some less formal terms include "bottom", "rear end", or "buns", which are appropriate for casual conversation or informal writing.