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Meaning & use

shitting

verb·Advancedvulgar

Last updated

UK/ˈʃɪtɪŋ/
US/ˈʃɪtɪŋ/

“shitting” is a form of “shit”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Usage warning: this word is vulgar. It can hurt or insult people. Learn to recognise it, but avoid using it about anyone.

Meanings

  1. verbintransitivevulgar

    The act of passing solid waste from the body; a very rude and informal way to say defecating.

    Grammar: Used without an object: He was shitting. The verb is intransitive in this sense.

    Patterns

    • be shitting
    • shitting in/on something

    The dog was shitting on the neighbor's lawn again.

    He ran to the bathroom because he needed to shit.

    Stop shitting in public; it's disgusting.

  2. verbtransitive or intransitivevulgarinformal

    To speak or act in a way that is stupid, dishonest, or worthless; often used in the phrase 'shitting me'.

    Grammar: Often used in the phrase 'are you shitting me?' meaning 'are you joking?' Can take an object: Don't shit me.

    Patterns

    • shit someone
    • be shitting someone

    Are you shitting me? That can't be true.

    He's always shitting his friends about money.

    Stop shitting me and tell the truth.

Word forms

third person singularshits
past tenseshat
past participleshat
present participleshitting

Common combinations

shitting bricks
He was shitting bricks before the exam.
shitting yourself
She was shitting herself with fear.
shitting on someone
Stop shitting on your teammates.

Synonyms and how they differ

defecating
The medical or formal term; suitable for doctors or official writing, not for polite conversation.
pooping
A milder, childish or informal word; acceptable in many casual settings where 'shitting' would be offensive.

Word family

shit verb
The base form; to defecate or to speak nonsense.
shit noun
Solid waste; also used as a rude exclamation.

Commonly confused: shitting or shooting?

shitting vs shooting

Shooting means firing a gun or kicking a ball; shitting is a vulgar word for defecating. They sound similar but are completely different.

Practice

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