Word
excrement
Phoneticsex·cre·ment, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɛkskɹəmənt/
UK/ˈɛkskɹɪmənt/
Definition
n. the waste material that comes out of your body after you eat. It is a very formal or old-fashioned word for feces.
n. the solid or semi-solid waste matter discharged from the body as a result of digestion. Often used in medical, biological, or literary contexts to maintain a formal tone.
Examples
“The scientist studied the excrement of the local wildlife.”
“The archaeologist examined the ancient excrement found in the cave to understand the diet of the people who lived there.”
“The presence of undigested excrement in the soil indicated that the local ecosystem had been disrupted by the sudden introduction of non-native herbivores.”
Examples
simple
“The scientist studied the excrement of the local wildlife.”
contextual
“The archaeologist examined the ancient excrement found in the cave to understand the diet of the people who lived there.”
complex
“The presence of undigested excrement in the soil indicated that the local ecosystem had been disrupted by the sudden introduction of non-native herbivores.”
Real-World Examples
“During the 19th and early 20th centuries, fertilizer companies shipped millions of tons of dried bird excrement from islands in the Pacific and Caribbean to farms across Europe and North America.” “The wildlife presenter, author and animal rights activist has been the target of numerous attacks, finding everything from dead animals to human excrement on his doorstep.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin excrēmentum, from excernō (“to excrete”).
Borrowed from Latin excrēmentum, from excrēscō (“to grow out”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL 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: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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