dirty word

noun

1. a vulgar or taboo word; obscenity.

2. any word, name, or concept considered reprehensible or unmentionable; anathema.

   “Lose” is a dirty word to this team.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dirty word¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

“I feel like the thing that’s most chilling is the way the word ‘climate’ has become a dirty word.”

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Contraction is a dirty word in the journalism industry, which generally believes having more outlets is better for the public interest.

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Mr Mooser says that while AI may still be a dirty word, their product is "clean" because it pays for its content.

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It all helped make democracy a dirty word.

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“We grew up where business was kind of a dirty word,” he said.

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