bugger

[ buhg-er, boog- ]

/ ˈbʌg ər, ˈbʊg- /

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noun

Informal. a fellow or lad (used affectionately or abusively): a cute little bugger.

Informal. any object or thing.

Often Vulgar. a sodomite.

Chiefly British Slang.

a despicable or contemptible person, especially a man.
an annoying or troublesome thing, situation, etc.

verb (used with object)

Often Vulgar. to sodomize.

Slang. damn: Bugger the cost—I want the best.

Chiefly British Slang. to trick, deceive, or take advantage of.

Verb Phrases

bugger off, Chiefly British Slang. to depart; bug off.

bugger up, Chiefly British Slang. to ruin; spoil; botch.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Compare sod³.

Origin of bugger

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English bougre, from Anglo-French bugre, from Medieval Latin Bulgarus “heretic,” literally, “Bulgarian,” by association of the Balkans with heretical sects such as the Bogomils and their alleged deviant sexual practices; def. 1 perhaps by reanalysis as bug¹ or bug² + -er¹ (cf. booger)

Other definitions for bugger (2 of 2)

bugger²

[ buhg-er ]

/ ˈbʌg ər /

a person who installs a hidden listening device.

Origin of bugger

First recorded in 1965–70; bug¹ + -er¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for bugger

bugger

/ (ˈbʌɡə) /

noun

a person who practises buggery

slang a person or thing considered to be contemptible, unpleasant, or difficult

slang a humorous or affectionate term for a man or childa silly old bugger; a friendly little bugger

bugger all slang nothing

play silly buggers slang to fool around and waste time

verb

to practise buggery (with)

(tr) slang, mainly British to ruin, complicate, or frustrate

slang to tire; wearyhe was absolutely buggered

interjection

slang an exclamation of annoyance or disappointment

Word Origin for bugger

C16: from Old French bougre, from Medieval Latin Bulgarus Bulgarian; from the condemnation of the dualist heresy rife in Bulgaria from the tenth century to the fifteenth

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012