Word
sod
US/ˈsɑd/
UK/sˈɒd/
Definitions
01grass and soil
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a piece of earth with grass and its roots growing in it.
n. 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.”
02a person
C1 · Advanced Countable noun British English · Informal · Slang
n. a slang word for a person, usually someone you find annoying or someone you feel sorry for.
n. 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.”
03to dismiss or curse
C1 · Advanced British English · Slang · Vulgar
v. a rude way to say you do not care about something or to tell someone to go away.
v. 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.”
Real-World Examples
“Try anything you might be intrigued by and sod anyone who tells you it’s weird.” Etymology
From Middle English sod, sodde first attested in the mid-15th century, from Middle Dutch zoden (“turf”) or Middle Low German sôde, soede (“turf”), both related to Dutch zode (“turf”), German Sode (“turf”), Old Frisian sātha (“sod”), all being of uncertain ultimate origin.
Clipping of sodomite or sodomize.
From the Old English plural past tense, or a back-formation from the past participle sodden.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. odds and sods
02. sod off
Domain
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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