What does "bullshit" mean?

1. (lies or nonsense) nonsense or lies that someone says to impress you or hide the truth. 2. (unfair treatment) something that is very unfair or annoying. 3. (to lie or deceive) to lie to someone or try to trick them by talking a lot. 4. (to chat casually) to talk with friends about unimportant things just to pass the time. 5. (absurd or fake) describing something that is fake, unfair, or makes no sense.

bullshit

n. · v. · adj.

US //ˈbʊɫˌʃɪt// UK //bˈʊlʃɪt// bull·shit

1 lies or nonsense (n.)
C1 Advanced Slang Vulgar

nonsense or lies that someone says to impress you or hide the truth.

untrue, exaggerated, or nonsensical assertions, often characterised by a complete lack of concern for the truth.

Example

Don't listen to him; he's just telling you a load of bullshit.

Example

The politician's speech was dismissed as pure bullshit by critics who pointed out the glaring lack of verifiable data.
- truth
- fact
2 unfair treatment (n.)
C1 Advanced Slang Vulgar

something that is very unfair or annoying.

an unfair, unreasonable, or frustrating situation or set of rules.

Example

It is total bullshit that we have to work on a holiday without extra pay.

Example

The employees were tired of the corporate bullshit and the constant changes to their health insurance plans.
- unfairness
- injustice

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3 to lie or deceive (v.)
C1 Advanced Slang Vulgar

to lie to someone or try to trick them by talking a lot.

to deceive or mislead someone through lies or exaggerated talk. Often used transitively.

Example

Stop trying to bullshit me; I know you weren't at home last night.

Example

He managed to bullshit his way through the interview despite having almost no experience in the field.
4 to chat casually (v.)
C1 Advanced Slang Vulgar American English

to talk with friends about unimportant things just to pass the time.

to engage in idle, casual conversation without a serious purpose.

Example

We spent the whole afternoon just bullshitting on the porch.

Example

After the meeting, the team stayed behind for an hour just bullshitting about their weekend plans.
- chat
- gossip
5 absurd or fake (adj.)
C1 Advanced Slang Vulgar

describing something that is fake, unfair, or makes no sense.

characterised by absurdity, dishonesty, or a lack of validity.

Example

That is a bullshit excuse and you know it.

Example

The committee rejected the proposal, calling the projected budget figures completely bullshit.
- fake
- absurd
- genuine
- valid

Origin

From bull + shit. Figurative use as a noun referring to useless or untrue information is attested from the 1910s.