faeces

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "faeces" is usable in written English and is well written.
It is typically used in formal or scientific contexts to refer to excrement. Example: "The study examined the bacteria present in the faeces of various animal species."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When these people arrive at Australian detention centres, they are left with severe sunburn and skin rashes, sitting in clothing drenched with faeces and urine while they await interrogation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Asylum seekers are examined while exhausted, dehydrated and filthy, their clothing "soiled with urine and faeces" because there are no toilets on the boats.

The Guardian

Campylobacter thrives in the gut and faeces of poultry and can easily be spread from bird to bird on farms or in abattoirs.

The Guardian - Business

A PHE spokesman said: "It is important to remember that as yet, there has not been a case of Ebola diagnosed in the UK and the infection can only be transmitted through contact with the body fluids, such as blood, vomit or faeces, of an infected person.

The Guardian

Sanergy, an organisation that focuses on improving sanitation in urban slums in Nairobi, is working with agricultural start-up AgriProtein to recycle human faeces into animal feed via insects.

The Guardian

He has been eating his own faeces with a view to choking himself.

The Guardian

The doctors claim: asylum seekers are examined while exhausted, dehydrated and filthy, their clothing "soiled with urine and faeces" because there are no toilets on the boats patients are "begging for treatment" asylum seekers must queue for up to three hours for medication.

The Guardian

During other celebrations, "people eat faeces, menstrual blood, semen, urine.

The Guardian

I was not surprised at our filthy brass because in 1964, Dr James A Cameron, a GP, surveyed the underpants of 940 men of Oxfordshire, and found them filthy, containing anything from "wasp-coloured stains" to "frank massive faeces".

The Guardian - Opinion

Not careful means tolerating bad bugs – a gram of faeces can carry 1m bacteria and 10m viruses – on banknotes, phones, tube train rails, everywhere, because we are too lazy to cleanse properly.

The Guardian - Opinion

A nearby cesspit was leaking faeces into the pipes that supplied the Broad Street pump, we now know.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "faeces" in formal, scientific, or medical contexts. In general conversation, consider alternatives like "stool" or "excrement".

Common error

Avoid using "faeces" in casual conversation or informal writing. It's generally perceived as too clinical or scientific for everyday use. Opt for more common terms like "stool" or "poop" depending on your audience.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "faeces" is as a noun, referring to excrement discharged from the bowels. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "faeces" functions as the subject or object of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "faeces" is a grammatically correct noun primarily used in formal, scientific, and medical contexts to refer to excrement. Ludwig AI's analysis shows that while the term is widely used, it's crucial to consider your audience and the context when choosing this word. In more casual settings, alternatives like "stool" or "excrement" may be more appropriate. The frequent use of "faeces" in news, scientific publications, and business reports highlights its relevance in these domains, though its formality makes it less suitable for everyday conversation. As Ludwig AI states, "faeces" is usable in written English and well-written, generally in formal or scientific contexts. Therefore, be mindful of your audience and purpose when incorporating the word “faeces” into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stool

A less clinical term for faeces.

excrement

A general term for bodily waste, similar in formality.

fecal matter

Highlights the material composition of faeces.

bowel movement

Refers to the act of defecation and the resulting waste.

excreta

A scientific term for excreted substances.

bodily waste

A broader term encompassing various excretions.

waste matter

A general term for discarded substances.

dung

Typically used for animal excrement.

ordure

A more archaic and less common term.

number two

A euphemistic and informal term.

FAQs

What does "faeces" mean?

"Faeces" refers to solid bodily waste discharged from the bowel through the anus; excrement.

When should I use "faeces" instead of "stool"?

Use "faeces" in formal, medical, or scientific contexts. "Stool" is a more common and less clinical term, suitable for general conversation.

What are some alternative terms for "faeces"?

You can use alternatives like "excrement", "stool", or "bodily waste" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "faeces" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, using "faeces" in casual conversation may sound overly formal or clinical. Consider using a more common term like "stool" or another appropriate synonym.