stool

USAGE SUMMARY

'stool' is a correct and usable word in written English.
Generally, 'stool' can be used to refer to a type of short seat or to a type of solid waste from the body. For example, "I need to buy another stool for my kitchen island." or "I need to go to the restroom to expel my stool."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As people mill around the open-plan kitchen, spilling out into the living room and the garden beyond, he is easily identifiable, perched on a stool, specs resting neatly on the end of his nose.

The Guardian - Travel

The pleasing, noteworthy thing about this series, however, is how much time is devoted to explaining Natasha and her friends' side of the story, instead of telling them off, or loading them on to the media ducking stool for a prime-time dunking.

The Guardian

Whitstable low stool, £125, by Mathers & Hirst.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Absolutely, insists Mr Durkan, who says he was knocked into politics from his student bar stool at Queen's University by the 1981 hunger strikes, when he saw the SDLP as the only party of "reason against rage".

The Guardian

But whereas Giddens saw civil society as one leg of a three-legged stool, resting in essential balance with government and the economy, the suspicion of many in the voluntary sector was – and remains – that Hilton saw big society as usurping government.

The Guardian

Click here to watch A stool, lots of dry ice and some filthy lyrics about surfboards: all this year's Grammys show needed to ignite was the king and queen of modern music, who performed Drunk in Love.

The Guardian - Music

Get there early, a stool at the bar and order a plate (or two) with a beer and a green papaya salad on the side.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He added: "I'm very comfortable leading a service in church but I'm just as comfortable sitting on a bar stool chatting to people".

The Guardian

There were times when I was working in special needs that I'd be effed and jeffed at or I'd have a stool thrown at me – but it didn't happen often.

The Guardian

People might not show until the early hours, by which time I'll be falling off my stool.

The Guardian - Travel

His fellow inmates start to suspect he's a stool pigeon for their German captors, so Sefton takes it upon himself to find the real traitor.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the double meaning of the word "stool": make sure the readers understands the intention of your text to avoid unintended connotations or humorous misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid confusing "stool" with similar-sounding words like "stoic" or "steal". Double-check your writing to ensure the correct word is used in context.

Linguistic Context

The word "stool" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a seat or excrement. It can also function as a verb, meaning to defecate or to tiller a plant. Ludwig examples showcase both usages, as highlighted in the AI analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "stool" presents a duality in meaning, primarily functioning as a noun referring to a seat or excrement, and occasionally as a verb meaning to defecate. Ludwig AI confirms this multifaceted usage. Its register varies from neutral to formal depending on the specific sense and context. While commonly found in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science, it appears less frequently in Formal & Business settings. The primary function of "stool" is either to describe a physical object or to discuss bodily functions, with its prevalence underscored by its common presence in varied sources. Therefore, context is everything. Ensure the correct definition of the word "stool" is clear to the readers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seat

Refers to a place to sit, similar to one of the primary meanings of "stool".

feces

Represents the excretory product aspect of "stool", focusing on the bodily waste meaning.

excrement

A formal synonym for "feces", highlighting the waste product sense of "stool".

defecate

The act of producing "stool", focusing on the verb form related to excretion.

stool pigeon

Highlights the slang usage, referring to an informant or someone who betrays others.

commode

Synonym related to toilet use.

chamber pot

An older term for a portable toilet, functionally related to "stool" when used for excretion.

faecal matter

Another formal term for excrement, specifying the material aspect of "stool".

take a dump

An informal expression for defecating, linked to the action of producing "stool".

lavatory seat

A seat used for urination and defecation.

FAQs

How can I use "stool" in a sentence?

You can use "stool" to refer to a seat without a back, as in, "She sat on a bar "stool"". Alternatively, it can refer to feces, as in, "The doctor requested a "stool" sample for analysis".

What are some synonyms for "stool" when referring to feces?

When referring to feces, synonyms for "stool" include "feces", "excrement", "faecal matter", or "bowel movement".

What's the difference between a "stool" and a chair?

A "stool" is typically a simple seat without a back or armrests, whereas a chair usually has a back and may have armrests. "Stools" are often used for perching or for specific tasks where a full chair isn't necessary.

When is it appropriate to use the word "stool" to refer to feces?

Using "stool" to refer to feces is generally appropriate in medical contexts or when discussing digestive health. In more formal or polite settings, it's better to use terms like "feces" or "excrement".