Bottom vs Butt

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Bottom

Top 1,000 (very common) A2 noun

Butt

Informal Top 2,000 (common)

Most formal: Bottom Most common: Bottom

	Bottom	Butt
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/ˈbɒtəm/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈbɑːtəm/"]/	🇬🇧 //bʌt// 🇺🇸 //bʌt//
Meaning	The lowest part of something.	The rounded part of a person's body where they sit.
Example	He fell to the bottom of the hill after tripping.	She fell and landed right on her butt.
Register	Neutral	Informal
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level	A2	-
Part of speech	noun
Collocations	false, arrive at, fall to, get to, end, half, along the bottom, at the bottom, from the bottom, false, arrive at, fall to, get to, end, half, along the bottom, at the bottom, from the bottom, false, arrive at, fall to, get to, end, half, along the bottom, at the bottom, from the bottom, false, arrive at, fall to, get to, end, half, along the bottom, at the bottom, from the bottom, start at, work up from, at the bottom, near the bottom, towards/​toward the bottom, bare, slap, smack, spank, false, arrive at, fall to, get to, end, half, along the bottom, at the bottom, from the bottom	big butt, flat butt, booty butt, cute butt
Antonyms	top, peak, summit	front, head
Common mistakes	Confused with 'base' in certain contexts., Using 'bottom' when 'end' is more appropriate., Mixing up 'bottom' as a noun and a verb.	Confused with 'behind' or 'bottom', Using in formal writing, Not using figurative meanings
Usage notes	Use 'bottom' when referring to the lowest part of an object, surface, or concept. It is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid using it in highly technical discussions where specific terminology is required.	Used mostly in casual conversations. Avoid in formal contexts. Can also refer to the end of something, like a cigarette.

See it in real clips

How I Met Your Mother › S1 E1

If the bottom bunk moves, the top bunk moves, too.

Breaking Bad › S1 E2

Look at the bottom for a triangle

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms › S1 E1

- You're from Flea Bottom? - No.

How I Met Your Mother › S1 E1

If the bottom bunk moves, the top bunk moves, too.

Breaking Bad › S1 E2

Look at the bottom for a triangle

Bottom

cactus butt?

Avengers › Avengers Endgame

rip off your arms, and shove them up your butt!

cactus butt?

Avengers › Avengers Endgame

rip off your arms, and shove them up your butt!

Butt

Frequently asked questions: Bottom vs Butt

What's the difference between Bottom and Butt?

Bottom: The lowest part of something. Butt: The rounded part of a person's body where they sit.

Which is more formal: Bottom and Butt?

Bottom is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Bottom and Butt?

Bottom is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Bottom: He fell to the bottom of the hill after tripping. Butt: She fell and landed right on her butt.

Can I use Bottom and Butt interchangeably?

Not always. Bottom and Butt 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.