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  • F-word
    F-word
    noun
    a euphemism for the word fuck .
  • f-word
    f-word
    noun
    (sometimes capital) a euphemistic way of referring to the word fuck

F-word

American  
[ef-wurd] / ˈɛfˌwɜrd /
Also f word or f-word

noun

  1. a euphemism for the word fuck .

    The f-word came into English in the 15th century.


f-word British  

noun

  1. taboo (sometimes capital) a euphemistic way of referring to the word fuck

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of F-word

First recorded in 1955–60


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

“The government is afraid of the F-word — famine, that is,” said an aid worker who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

From New York Times ● Nov. 6, 2022

Pull her aside and say, “You know I love you, but could you please not swear around my son? He just said the F-word the other night and I really don’t want him cursing.”

From Slate ● Mar. 2, 2021

O’Rourke told a voter who asked about his language: “Great point, and I don’t intend to use the F-word going forward. Point taken, and very strongly made. ... We’re going to keep it clean.”

From Fox News ● Mar. 17, 2019

When asked if she was a feminist she did not use the F-word and stressed her love for men – as if pre-empting an attack.

From Salon ● Oct. 27, 2016

This can be a tough sell, though he notes that when he omits the F-word — feminism — he does better.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 8, 2015

Hole created something that’s more than a nostalgic gem of a self-aware album: it’s a manifesto for the gutsy, the screwed up and the savagely feminist, even if “feminist” isn’t her favorite f-word.

From Salon ● Apr. 11, 2024

At other times, “feminism” — considered an f-word by many for generations — was used proudly.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 24, 2022

Jost added: "Insiders are also saying that, during meetings, President Biden repeatedly uses the f-word in conversation. More concerning, the f-word he keeps using is ‘forget.’"

From Fox News ● Oct. 24, 2021

On Wednesday Di Canio renounced fascism and Sunderland resolved to focus on another f-word – football.

From The Guardian ● Apr. 5, 2013

Voters here tend to be relatively reserved in their political discourse by modern standards, with “flubbed” being a typical f-word.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 15, 2012

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