What does derriere mean?
Derriere (from French, literally 'behind') is a noun meaning the buttocks. Borrowed into English in the nineteenth century, it functions as a humorous and polite euphemism — one of the socially acceptable ways to refer to that part of the anatomy without resorting to blunt or crude language. It appears most often in informal speech, lifestyle writing, and comedic prose: someone might land on their derriere after a fall, work on toning theirs at the gym, or receive a figurative kick in it as encouragement. The standard plural is derrieres. Because of its French origin, it carries a slightly droll, tongue-in-cheek connotation, making it a favourite of writers seeking gentle humour rather than vulgarity. It is understood throughout the English-speaking world and is equally at home in British and American usage.
nounA person's buttocks; a humorous or polite euphemism for the rear of the human body.
- The buttocks, used as a mildly humorous or genteel euphemism.
"She slipped on the icy pavement and landed squarely on her derriere."
"The yoga instructor reminded us to tuck our derrieres under as we held the pose."
"After a long day of hiking, his derriere was thoroughly sore."
Regular plural; typically refers to the buttocks of multiple people, often in fitness or descriptive contexts.
"The workout class promised to tone all of our derrieres in thirty days."
English borrowed this word straight from French, where it simply means 'behind' — so every time you say it, you're technically speaking French about your backside.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of derriere
Derriere was borrowed from French, where derrière means 'behind' or 'at the back'. The French word derives from Vulgar Latin *de-retro ('behind'), built on the Latin adverb retro, 'backward', the same root seen in English words such as retrospect and retrograde. English adopted the word in the nineteenth century specifically as a euphemistic term for the buttocks, preserving its French spelling with the grave accent, though it is often written without it in casual use.
Related word forms
How derriere is actually used
Register is informal but politely so — it is a genteel euphemism that lets speakers refer to the buttocks without crudeness, common in light journalism, fitness contexts, and everyday conversation. It retains a faintly French flavour in English.