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Pigsty: meaning, definitions and examples

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pigsty

 

[ˈpɪɡstaɪ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

on a farm

A pigsty is a small, enclosed area where pigs are kept. It is typically a small shed or shelter where pigs can eat, sleep, and rest.

Synonyms

pig enclosure, pig shelter, pigpen.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
pigsty

Commonly used in informal situations to describe a very messy or disorganized place. It often has a negative connotation.

  • Your room looks like a pigsty!
  • I need to clean my desk. It's a total pigsty.
pigpen

An informal term often used to describe a small area where pigs are kept. It can also carry a negative meaning when used to describe a messy place.

  • The kids were playing around the pigpen.
  • This garage is such a pigpen!
pig enclosure

Used in more formal or technical contexts to refer to a fenced area specifically designed to keep pigs.

  • The farmer decided to expand the pig enclosure to give the animals more space.
  • A proper pig enclosure is essential for their well-being.
pig shelter

Refers to a structure that provides pigs with protection from weather elements, and is useful in discussions about animal welfare.

  • We need to build a pig shelter before winter comes.
  • The pigs stayed in their shelter during the storm.

Examples of usage

  • The farmer built a new pigsty for his pigs.
  • The pigsty was kept clean and organized.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • Originally, 'pigsty' comes from the combination of 'pig' and 'sty,' where 'sty' refers to a pen or shelter for pigs.
  • In Old English, the word 'stig' meant a place or a site, which evolved into the modern term as we know it today.

Cultural References

  • In literature, a 'pigsty' often symbolizes chaos and neglect, representing a place that is out of control.
  • The phrase 'like a pigsty' is commonly used to describe an untidy room in both writing and speech.

Animal Behavior

  • Pigs are naturally messy animals; they burrow in mud and dirt, which is their way of cooling off and protecting their skin.
  • Despite their dirty appearance, pigs are known to be highly intelligent and social creatures.

Farming Practices

  • Historically, farmers built pigsties with materials like wood and straw, focusing on both protection and comfort for the animals.
  • Modern farming has led to the development of cleaner, more efficient pigsties, often including automated feeding and waste systems.

Idiomatic Expressions

  • The idiom 'clean up your pigsty' suggests tidying up a messy area or situation, emphasizing personal responsibility.
  • In slang, referring to someone's living space as a 'pigsty' humorously criticizes its untidy state.

Translations

Translations of the word "pigsty" in other languages:

🇵🇹 chiqueiro

🇮🇳 सूअर का बाड़ा

🇩🇪 Schweinestall

🇮🇩 kandang babi

🇺🇦 свинарник

🇵🇱 chlew

🇯🇵 豚小屋 (buta-goya)

🇫🇷 porcherie

🇪🇸 pocilga

🇹🇷 domuz ahırı

🇰🇷 돼지 우리 (dwaeji uri)

🇸🇦 حظيرة الخنازير

🇨🇿 prasečí chlívek

🇸🇰 prasačí chliev

🇨🇳 猪圈 (zhū juàn)

🇸🇮 prašičji hlev

🇮🇸 svínastía

🇰🇿 шошқа қорасы

🇬🇪 ღორების სადგური (ghorebis sadguri)

🇦🇿 donuz damı

🇲🇽 pocilga

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,020, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.