WordGarden.iopisser
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈɪsə/
US
- /ˈpɪsər/noun
Meanings
Noun
a vulgar term for a toilet or restroom
a vulgar term for an annoying, unpleasant, or difficult person or thing
something unexpectedly funny or absurd
Beyond the definition
"Pisser" is a very informal, often vulgar slang word. Most often, it describes something or someone that is very annoying, or a situation that is deeply disappointing or unlucky. It is not polite. Think of it as a stronger, rougher way to say that something is a pain, a nuisance, or a real letdown.
You might call a broken computer program "a real pisser," or react to missing your flight with "What a pisser!" In some places, especially in parts of the US, it can also mean something funny, impressive, or excellent, as in "wicked pisser." Even so, the negative meaning is more common for many speakers. Use it carefully, because it sounds crude and can offend people.
The word "pisser" comes from "piss," so it carries a rough, vulgar tone from the start. In everyday slang, it is usually used in a figurative way rather than a literal one. Most often, people use it for something that is very annoying, for a person who gets on their nerves, or for a situation that feels unfair, unlucky, or sharply disappointing.
If your car will not start on an important morning, you might say, "That is a pisser." If someone keeps causing trouble, you might call them "a real pisser." In this sense, the word does more than say something is annoying. It adds real frustration, as if the problem has spoiled your plans or pushed your patience too far. It can describe both ongoing irritation and one bad moment of luck.
There is also another sense that learners should know. In some regional American English, especially in New England in phrases like "wicked pisser," it can mean something very funny, striking, excellent, or impressive. That positive meaning is real, but it is regional and strongly informal, so it should not be treated as the main meaning everywhere.
Because the word is vulgar, it does not fit well in formal, professional, or careful social settings. It may appear in casual speech, films, or dialogue between friends, but it can easily sound rude. For most learners, it is more useful as a word to recognize than as one to use often.
Examples
- 1
Annoying event
Missing the last train was a real pisser.
- Cautiona real pisser
a very annoying or disappointing thing; very informal and rude
- 2
Canceled plans
It’s a pisser that the concert got canceled after we’d already booked a hotel.
- 3
Informal reaction
“They lost your suitcase?” “Yeah, what a pisser.”
- 4
Funny person
My uncle’s a pisser when he starts telling stories at dinner.
- Cautiona pisser
someone very funny; informal and rude
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Funny thing
That movie was a pisser, especially the scene in the restaurant.
- Cautiona pisser
something very funny; informal and rude
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- relief
- stroke of luck
Used with (collocations)
- a real pisser
- what a pisser
- that's a pisser
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- pissernoun