excrement

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "excrement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing waste, particularly in a biological or environmental sense. Example: "The farmer was concerned about the impact of animal excrement on the soil quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The pile of excrement has grown to historic heights.

The Guardian - Sport

On paper, Duchamp invented a "transformer designed to utilise wasted energies", among them exhaled tobacco smoke, urine and excrement, ejaculation and tears.

The Guardian - Arts

Allin delighted the American hardcore rock'n'roll scene of the late 80s and early 90s by performing naked, having swallowed vast amounts of laxatives, before bellowing violently misanthropic lyrics, maiming himself, defecating on stage, throwing his excrement into the crowd, and inflicting often actionable degrees of physical damage on audience members.

The Guardian - Opinion

As part of the ongoing disputes in Maghaberry prison, for which Ford ultimately has responsibility, supporters of Continuity IRA and new IRA prisoners first picketed Alliance's HQ in Belfast's University district and then later smeared it with excrement.

The Guardian

Related: United Passions review – Fifa propaganda is pure cinematic excrement Unfortunately, United Passions has just had its US release, having already opened last year in key territories such as Serbia and Azerbaijan.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Refuse and excrement littered the streets and the subsequent epidemics were widespread.

The Guardian - Travel

Abandoned burial grounds, like any empty plot in the metropolis, were liable to become dumps – whether for household rubbish or, in the worst districts, "ankle deep … with excrement, thrown out from the houses" – and other sites would meet the same fate.

The Guardian

"The pearls are formed around the larvae from a tapeworm coming from the excrement of other animals," said the show's co-curator, Hubert Bari.

The Guardian - Arts

Constantly looking down because one fears slipping on ice becomes occasionally glancing ahead to avoid stepping in excrement.

The Guardian - Opinion

Three detainees interviewed by the ICRC said they were forced to urinate and defecate on themselves in these positions, and were left standing in their own excrement.

The Guardian

These islands, I now know, have scores of terms for animal dung, most of which double up nicely as insults, from crottle (a foresters' term for "hare excrement") to doofers (Scots for "horse shit"), to the expressive ujller (Shetlandic for the "unctuous filth that runs from a dunghill") and turdstool (West Country for "a very substantial cowpat").

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "excrement" when a scientifically accurate or neutrally descriptive term for bodily waste is required, especially in medical, environmental, or formal contexts. Be mindful of your audience, as its direct nature can be considered impolite in some settings.

Common error

Avoid using "excrement" in casual conversation or informal writing where more common terms like "poop", "shit", or "feces" would be more appropriate. Choose the term that best fits the register and tone of your communication.

Linguistic Context

The noun "excrement" functions primarily as a subject or object within a sentence, denoting waste matter expelled from the body. Ludwig confirms its usage in describing biological processes or environmental conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "excrement" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun that refers to bodily waste. As Ludwig AI explains, it's often employed in formal contexts, such as news, scientific articles, and medical discussions. While it's a correct term, its slightly vulgar nature requires thoughtful consideration of the audience. Related terms include "feces", "stool", and "bodily waste". When writing, it is advisable to be mindful of the register and avoid overuse in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feces

More formal and clinical term for solid bodily waste.

stool

Medical term for feces.

bodily waste

A broader term encompassing all waste products from the body.

excreta

A formal term for waste matter discharged from the body.

waste matter

General term referring to any discarded material.

dung

Specifically refers to animal excrement.

ordure

Archaic term for excrement.

droppings

Typically refers to the excrement of small animals or birds.

effluent

Liquid waste or sewage discharged into a river or the sea.

rubbish

General term for waste or trash, often used metaphorically to mean something worthless.

FAQs

What is the definition of "excrement"?

"Excrement" refers to waste matter discharged from the body, particularly feces. It can also broadly apply to other bodily excretions.

When is it appropriate to use the word "excrement"?

Use "excrement" in formal, scientific, or medical contexts where a neutral term is required. Be cautious in casual settings, where alternatives like "feces" or "stool" might be more suitable.

Are there less clinical synonyms for "excrement"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use less clinical terms such as "waste matter" or "dung" (especially when referring to animal waste).

Is "excrement" a formal or informal term?

"Excrement" is considered a relatively formal term. More informal terms include "shit" or "poop", while medical and scientific contexts often use "feces".