Word
butchered
US/ˈbʊtʃɝd/
UK/bˈʊtʃəd/
Informal
Definition
adj. badly damaged or ruined because of a lack of skill. You use this when someone does a job very poorly, like singing a song badly or making many mistakes in a speech.
adj. severely damaged, ruined, or executed with a gross lack of skill. Often used to describe the poor performance of a creative work or the mishandling of a task.
Examples
“The singer completely butchered the national anthem.”
“The local theater group butchered the classic play by forgetting half their lines and using terrible accents.”
“While the original manuscript was a masterpiece of subtle prose, the translated version was so poorly edited that the author's intent felt completely butchered.”
Examples
simple
“The singer completely butchered the national anthem.”
contextual
“The local theater group butchered the classic play by forgetting half their lines and using terrible accents.”
complex
“While the original manuscript was a masterpiece of subtle prose, the translated version was so poorly edited that the author's intent felt completely butchered.”
Usage
Typically used predicatively after linking verbs like 'feel' or 'look', or as a participial adjective before a noun.
Real-World Examples
“Much of the medium- and large-animal bones at Juukan were brought into the shelter and butchered by people, while smaller animals were often gathered by owls and deposited as pellets.” “Then it made its way to TikTok , where, Cenat says with disgust, “They butchered that word.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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