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doss

(slang, British, and, Ireland) The avoidance of work.

dɒsCurrent140 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🇬🇧 British & Irish slang
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UK
#1·Apr 27, 2026UK

(slang, British, and, Ireland) The avoidance of work.

I am going to have a doss tomorrow.
Heard in the wild
  • “I’m just gonna say it: Joshua Doss.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK

(intransitive, British, and, Ireland) To avoid work, shirk, etc.

I am going to doss tomorrow when the match is on.
Origin: Perhaps from Latin the back, i.e. what one lies on when sleeping; perhaps from English dialect a hassock. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents

Doss means: To avoid work, shirk, etc.. It is mainly Irish English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

doss means: To avoid work, shirk, etc.. Register: informal, Irish English. Often not understood outside its region; gloss the word on first use when writing for an international audience. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.

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UK
#3·Apr 27, 2026UK

(intransitive, British, AU, slang) To sleep, especially in the open or in a makeshift bed, commonly in a derelict building because one is homeless.

I normally have to doss in shop doorways or on park benches.
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🇬🇧About British & Irish slang slang

UK and Irish slang — Cockney, Scouse, Geordie, Yorkshire, Glaswegian, Brummie, Welsh, West Country, plus Irish English. Centuries of regional dialects feeding into modern British and Irish street talk.

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