# sod

/ˈsɑd/ (US) · /sˈɒd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sod
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. grass and soil

noun · CEFR B2

a piece of earth with grass and its roots growing in it.

For teachers: the surface layer of ground containing grass and its matted roots; often refers to sections of turf cut for lawns.

- We laid fresh sod in the backyard to create a new lawn for the summer.
- The landscaper recommended installing pre-cut sod rather than sowing seed to ensure the slope remained stable during the spring rains.

### 2. a person

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Informal · Slang

a slang word for a person, usually someone you find annoying or someone you feel sorry for.

For teachers: a person, typically one viewed with pity, affection, or mild annoyance; often modified by adjectives like 'poor' or 'lucky'.

- The poor sod had to walk home in the pouring rain because he missed the bus.
- He is a lucky sod to have landed such a prestigious role without any prior experience in the industry.

### 3. to dismiss or curse

verb · CEFR C1 · British English · Slang · Vulgar

a rude way to say you do not care about something or to tell someone to go away.

For teachers: used as a mild expletive to express dismissal, annoyance, or to curse something; frequently appears in the imperative.

- I've been trying to fix this computer for hours; sod it, I'm going to bed.
- He decided to sod the consequences and speak his mind during the board meeting, regardless of the potential fallout.

## Examples

- The poor sod lost his keys in the rain.
- He is a lazy sod who never helps with the housework, yet everyone seems to like him anyway.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.