What does pissed mean?
“Pissed” is an informal adjective with two related but distinct uses. In its dominant modern American sense, it means angry or extremely annoyed: a person may be pissed about a broken promise, a delayed train, or an unfair decision. In British, Australian, and Irish English, it very commonly means very drunk, although American speakers also understand this use. The word can sound blunt, crude, or mildly vulgar, depending on the speaker and situation; “pissed off” may express annoyance with less force. Because its meaning varies geographically, context is important. It is recognized as a past-tense and past-participle form of the vulgar verb “piss,” but as an adjective it has become a common informal intensifier-like label for strong emotion or intoxication.
Informal, and sometimes considered vulgar, meaning angry or very annoyed.
"She's pissed that nobody told her about the change."
Especially common in American English. “Pissed off” is often somewhat less emphatic.
Very drunk or intoxicated.
"The whole group was pissed by midnight."
Particularly common in British, Australian, and Irish English; also understood in American English.
One word can travel from the bathroom to the pub to the traffic jam: “pissed” may describe drunkenness, anger, or both at once.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pissed come from?
The form developed as the past tense and past participle of the vulgar verb “piss,” whose ultimate origin is Old English and whose cognates exist in several Germanic languages. The adjective meaning “drunk” developed through the idea of being drunk in an uninhibited or heavily affected state. Its modern use for anger is especially associated with American English, while the British sense meaning intoxicated is older and remains particularly common in varieties of English spoken in Britain, Australia, and Ireland.
Related word forms
How pissed is actually used
The word is informal and can sound rude or vulgar, especially in the angry sense. In American English, “pissed” most commonly means angry; in British, Australian, and Irish English, its use for intoxication is especially common. “Pissed off” is usually less blunt than “pissed.”
Easily confused with pissed
As an adjective, this word can mean angry or very drunk depending on context and regional usage; the surrounding sentence usually makes the intended sense clear.