ENGLISH
REFERENCE

pissed

adj.
US //ˈpɪst// UK //pˈɪst// pissed
  1. 1 angry (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English Informal Vulgar

    very annoyed or angry about something.

    extremely annoyed, irritated, or angry. This sense is dominant in American English and often appears as 'pissed off'.

    Example

    He was really pissed when he found out they had lied to him.

    Example

    The manager was visibly pissed after the third consecutive delay, though he tried to maintain a professional tone during the briefing.

    Usage

    Often used with 'at' for people or 'about' for situations.

    Teacher's tip

    While common in speech, this is considered vulgar by many; students should use 'angry' or 'annoyed' in any professional setting.
    Pitfall
    I am pissed with the news.
    I am pissed about the news.

    In American English, you are usually pissed 'about' a situation or 'at' a person.

  2. 2 drunk (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English Informal Vulgar

    having drunk too much alcohol.

    intoxicated or drunk. This is the primary meaning in British, Irish, and Australian English.

    Example

    They got completely pissed at the wedding and couldn't find their way home.

    Example

    By the time the last train arrived, half the passengers on the platform were clearly pissed after the festival.

    Usage

    Commonly modified by 'completely' or 'properly'.

    Teacher's tip

    American speakers will likely misunderstand this as 'angry' unless the context of alcohol is very clear.
Origin

From Middle English pissed, pissede, pyssyd, pisside, equivalent to piss + -ed.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Idioms3 entries

Last updated June 19, 2026