ENGLISH
REFERENCE

shitty

adj.
US //ˈʃɪˌti// UK //ʃˈɪti// shit·ty
  1. 1 very bad or low quality (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Vulgar

    very bad, unpleasant, or made poorly.

    of extremely poor quality or standard; failing to meet expectations in a frustrating way.

    Example

    I had a really shitty day at work and just want to go to sleep.

    Example

    The contractor did a shitty job on the roof, and now it leaks every time there is a minor rainstorm.

    Usage

    Commonly used to describe experiences, objects, or weather.
  2. 2 unfair or unkind (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Vulgar

    treating someone in an unfair or mean way.

    characterised by unkindness, selfishness, or a lack of ethics in interpersonal treatment.

    Example

    It was a shitty thing to do, leaving him to pay the whole bill.

    Example

    The company has a history of shitty behavior toward its junior employees, often denying them overtime pay.

    Usage

    Often used in the phrase 'a shitty thing to do'.
  3. 3 annoyed or angry (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Vulgar British English Dialect

    feeling annoyed or in a bad mood with someone.

    experiencing a state of irritation or resentment toward a person or situation.

    Example

    Don't get shitty with me just because you lost your keys.

    Example

    He's been acting shitty all afternoon because his football team lost the match.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is particularly common in British, Australian, and New Zealand English; learners should be aware it sounds very aggressive in American English.
Origin

From shit + -y. Cognate with German Low German schittig (“dirty, shitty”), German scheißig (“shitty”).

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

Last updated June 19, 2026