WordGarden.iodoss
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /dˈɒs/
US
- /ˈdɔs/
Meanings
Verb
to sleep temporarily in an improvised or uncomfortable place
(slang)to idle, loaf, or avoid work
Noun
a makeshift bed or place to sleep
an easy task or activity requiring little effort
Beyond the definition
To doss is to sleep somewhere casually or temporarily, often without much comfort or planning. After missing the last train, you might doss on a friend's sofa or doss in a hostel for the night. The word has a relaxed, informal feel and is strongly associated with British English.
Doss also appears in phrases like doss around or doss about, meaning to waste time lazily or hang around doing nothing productive. Teenagers might doss about after school, or coworkers might complain about someone dossing instead of working. As a noun, a doss can refer to a cheap place to sleep, especially in older or slang contexts, such as a "doss house."
The word doss belongs to informal British English and has several related meanings tied to rest, idleness, and temporary accommodation. As a verb, it most commonly means to sleep somewhere casually or without much preparation — often on someone's couch, in a shared space, or in low-cost accommodation. For example: "We dossed at a mate's place after the concert." The tone suggests improvisation or lack of luxury rather than a proper overnight stay.
Closely connected to this meaning is the sense of relaxing or being idle. In expressions like "doss around" or "doss about," the word implies laziness, procrastination, or simply hanging out without a clear purpose. This usage is common in everyday conversation and may carry mild criticism depending on context: "Stop dossing about and get started."
Historically, doss also appears as a noun referring to a cheap or basic sleeping place — especially a "doss house," a low-cost lodging house associated with travelers or people with limited means. While this usage is less common today, it still appears in historical references and older slang.
Because doss is informal and regionally marked, learners should use it carefully in formal writing or international contexts where it may be unfamiliar. Synonyms depend on meaning: for sleeping, words like crash, kip, or stay over may overlap; for idleness, loaf, lounge, or mess around can be similar. Overall, doss captures a distinctly casual attitude toward rest or activity — somewhere between improvisation and laziness.
Examples
- 1
Informal stay
You can doss on our sofa if you miss the last bus.
- 2
Temporary sleeping
We were so tired after the concert that we just dossed down at Jake's flat.
- Phrasedoss down
sleep somewhere informal or temporary for the night
- 3
Scolding idleness
Stop dossing about and finish your homework.
- Phrasedoss about
spend time doing nothing useful
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- dossnounverb