# anus

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈeɪ.nəs/ · frequency rank #20,835

## Definitions
1. The external orifice of the rectum in most mammals, teleost fish, and many invertebrates, through which feces and flatus are ejected.
2. An impolite, unpopular, or unintelligent person.

## Etymology
Either from Middle French anus or Latin ānus (“ring, anus”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁eh₂no- (“ring”). First attested in 1658. See also anal, annular, annelid.

## Easily confused with
- **as** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anus-vs-as)
- **AU** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anus-vs-au)
- **any** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anus-vs-any)
- **ass** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anus-vs-ass)
- **aux** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anus-vs-aux)
- **AWS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anus-vs-aws)
- **aud** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anus-vs-aud)
- **APS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anus-vs-aps)
- **ASU** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anus-vs-asu)
- **Avs** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anus-vs-avs)
- **AUC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anus-vs-auc)
- **arms** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anus-vs-arms)
- **arts** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anus-vs-arts)
- **asks** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anus-vs-asks)
- **axis** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anus-vs-axis)
- **apes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anus-vs-apes)
- **aqua** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anus-vs-aqua)
- **axes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anus-vs-axes)
- **Ares** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anus-vs-ares)
- **Anya** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anus-vs-anya)

## Common misspellings (5)
`annus`, `ansu`, `anuss`, `auns`, `naus`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/anus