crap

¹ American  

[krap] / kræp /

noun

1. Vulgar.

   1. excrement.

   2. an act of defecation.

2. Slang: Sometimes Vulgar.

   1. nonsense; drivel.

   2. falsehood, exaggeration, propaganda, or the like.

3. refuse; rubbish; junk; litter.

   Will you clean up that crap!

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verb (used without object)

crapped, crapping

1. Vulgar. to defecate.

verb (used with object)

crapped, crapping

1. Slang: Sometimes Vulgar. to talk nonsense to; attempt to deceive.

verb phrase

1. crap on

   1. to treat badly, especially by humiliating, insulting, or slighting.

   2. to cause misery, misfortune, or discomfort.

2. crap around

   1. to behave in a foolish or silly manner.

   2. to avoid work.

3. crap up to botch, ruin, or cheapen; make a mess of.

crap ² American  

[krap] / kræp /

noun

1. (in craps) a losing throw, in which the total on the two dice is 2, 3, or 12.

2. craps.

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verb phrase

1. crap out

   1. Also called seven out.  (in the game of craps) to throw a 7 rather than make one's point.

   2. Slang. to abandon a project, activity, etc., because of fear, cowardice, exhaustion, loss of enthusiasm, etc.

   3. Slang. to break a promise or fail to fulfill a duty or obligation; renege.

crap ¹ British  

/ kræp /

noun

1. nonsense

2. rubbish

3. another word for faeces

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verb

1. (intr) another word for defecate

crap ² British  

/ kræp /

noun

1. a losing throw in the game of craps

2. another name for craps

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crap Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing crap

• cut the comedy (crap)
• full of crap

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Usage

This word was formerly considered to be taboo, and it was labelled as such in previous editions of Collins English Dictionary . However, it has now become acceptable in speech, although some older or more conservative people may object to its use

Etymology

Origin of crap¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English crap “siftings of grain; chaff,” from Old French c(h)rape “siftings,” or Middle Dutch krappe “anything cut off or separated; scrap of meat”

Origin of crap²

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45; back formation from craps

Explanation

Crap is a versatile word, usually meaning feces, stuff, or garbage. It's definitely slang but not really obscene. This is a word that's on the borderline between acceptable slang and potty language. You can be 100% sure that saying the s-word (which means almost exactly the same thing as crap) will get you in trouble if you said it in class, but crap isn't so clear cut. It's sort of naughty but getting less naughty all the time. But whether you're taking a crap (pooping) or being told to get all the crap (junk) off your desk, you'll find that crap of any kind is never held in high regard.

Example Sentences

“If we’re going to just crank crap out, let’s shut the doors,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

"We are needed and without us, everything would look like crap."

From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026

I’ll tell you who was unhappy, tired and bored: All the mainstream journalists who felt personally insulted after traveling all that way for a depressing pseudo-event with crap ratings.

From Salon • Aug. 17, 2025

"You've been through so much crap in the last few years - I hope this is the best day of your life so far."

From BBC • Jul. 6, 2025

The reporter pushed his hair out of his eyes and started in with all the usual crap.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx

Related Words

• bull
• bullshit
• drivel
• nonsense