Cool MateAss vs Behind
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Ass
VulgarTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Behind
Top 1,000 (very common)A1preposition
Most formal: BehindMost common: Behind
| Ass | Behind | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //æs//🇺🇸 //æs// | 🇬🇧 /["/bɪˈhaɪnd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/bɪˈhaɪnd/"]/ |
| Meaning | A donkey or a rude term for a person's bottom. | At the back of something. |
| Example | He made a real ass of himself at the party. | The cat is hiding behind the curtain. |
| Register | Vulgar | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | preposition | |
| Collocations | kick someone's ass, stupid ass, lazy ass | behind the scenes, behind closed doors, fall behind |
| Antonyms | gentleman, lord, master | in front of, ahead |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'arse', which is more common in British English., Using it in formal contexts where it may offend., Mispronouncing it as 'as' instead of including the 's' sound. | Confusing 'behind' with 'in front of', Using 'behind' without a noun after it, Misplacing 'behind' in a sentence (e.g., 'I am behind the door' instead of 'Behind the door, I am') |
| Usage notes | Used informally, often to insult someone. Can also refer to a donkey in casual contexts. Avoid in formal settings. | Use 'behind' to describe location or position. It's neutral and suitable for most contexts, but avoid using it in overly formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Ass vs Behind
What's the difference between Ass and Behind?
Ass: A donkey or a rude term for a person's bottom. Behind: At the back of something.
Which is more formal: Ass and Behind?
Behind is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Ass and Behind?
Behind is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Ass: He made a real ass of himself at the party. Behind: The cat is hiding behind the curtain.
Can I use Ass and Behind interchangeably?
Not always. Ass and Behind are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.