doss

/dɒs/

//dɒs// verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"doss" is a 4-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“doss” is an uncommon English word, ranked #51,073 in English word frequency and used as a verb.

#51,073
frequency rank, English
4
letters

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To avoid work, shirk, etc.

Key facts for doss
PropertyValue
Headworddoss
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/dɒs/
Letters4
Frequency rank#51,073
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “doss” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). doss lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for doss is 4 letters long, classified as a verb, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /dɒs/. Corpus data places it at rank #51,073 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 2 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

We couldn't generate a plausible misspelling set for doss, and the word's spelling is regular enough that our generator found nothing worth flagging. We don't track a confusable pairing for this entry, which usually means its spelling is distinct enough that readers don't reach for a similar-looking word instead.

Etymologically, the entry records: Perhaps from Latin dorsum (“the back”), i.e. what one lies on when sleeping; perhaps from English dialect doss (“a hassock”). The correct English form is doss, spelled D-O-S-S.

Definition

  1. 1
    To avoid work, shirk, etc.
  2. 2
    To sleep, especially in the open or in a makeshift bed, commonly in a derelict building because one is homeless.

Etymology

Perhaps from Latin dorsum (“the back”), i.e. what one lies on when sleeping; perhaps from English dialect doss (“a hassock”).

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "doss"?
"doss" is spelled D-O-S-S. The IPA pronunciation is /dɒs/.
What does "doss" mean?
As a verb, "doss" means: To avoid work, shirk, etc.
How do you pronounce "doss"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "doss" is /dɒs/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "doss"?
Perhaps from Latin dorsum (“the back”), i.e. what one lies on when sleeping; perhaps from English dialect doss (“a hassock”). See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “doss”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is D-O-S-S - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /dɒs/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list