Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

1

bugger

noun bug·ger \ ˈbə-gər , ˈbu̇-gər \
See What's Trending Now See More Trending Words

Definition of bugger

1 : sodomite
2 a : a worthless person : rascal
b : fellow, chap
3 : a small or annoying thing
  • put down my keys and now I can't find the buggers

Origin and Etymology of bugger

Middle English bougre heretic, from Anglo-French bugre, from Medieval Latin Bulgarus, literally, Bulgarian; from the association of Bulgaria with the Bogomils, who were accused of sodomy

First Known Use: 1540

2

bugger

verb bug·ger \ ˈbə-gər \

Definition of bugger

transitive verb
1 usually vulgar : to commit sodomy with
2 : damn
3 : to put into disorder : bungle, botch —often used with up

See bugger defined for English-language learners
3

bugger

noun

Definition of bugger

: a person who plants electronic bugs

Other Audio Recording Terms

baffle, dub, fidelity, transcription, treble

Phrases Related to BUGGER

Related Phrases

Learn More about bugger

  1. See words that rhyme with bugger Britannica English: Translation of bugger for Arabic speakers

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

headlong

play

without deliberation, pause, or delay

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. lowlife 'a person of low moral character'

  2. kakistocracy 'government by the worst people'

  3. slimeball 'a morally repulsive or odious person'

  4. salacious 'arousing or appealing to sexual desire'

  5. oligarch 'government in which a small group exercises control'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

bugger

Test Your Vocabulary

More Confusing Words—Quiz

  • cats-on-impossible-timber
  • The magician ______ moved the selected card to the top of the deck.
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

alt-5ad77fad37d22
What the #@*% Is a ‘Grawlix?’

We can thank Beetle Bailey.

alt-5ad76a1542e73
'Altho' vs. 'Although'

Altho doesn't get much love.

alt-5ad635a571736
A Brief History of 'Potshot'

Duck, or you might be dinner

alt-5ad5fb45b0494
What Is a 'Thirst Trap'?

A tall drink of water

Ask the Editors

image1760257654
2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally
Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her
Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

cats-on-impossible-timber
More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz
name-that-thing-toys-and-games-edition
Name that Thing: Toys and Games Edition

It's all fun and games until someone beats your high score.

Take the quiz
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

Take the quiz
Word Winder's CrossWinder
Word Winder's CrossWinder

A game of winding words.

Play the game