curse word

American  

noun

1. a profane or obscene word, especially as used in anger or for emphasis; curse.

   Synonyms:

   swear word, profanity, obscenity, oath, cussword, cuss

2. any term conceived of as offensive.

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Etymology

Origin of curse word

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

They sit in a cramped office, carefully editing out curse words.

From BBC

I’ve covered Nancy Pelosi for more than three decades and never once heard her utter a curse word, in public or private.

From Los Angeles Times

It sets the stage for backstabbing, strained loyalties, romantic possibilities and plenty of name-dropping — albeit with considerably less curse words than the original “Suits.”

From Los Angeles Times

Whenever I’m around them I worry about doing something that will forever alter their lives, like holding a bottle at the wrong angle or making curse words sound cool.

From New York Times

But it's not just a matter of using curse words.

From Salon