four-letter word
Americannoun
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any of a number of short words, usually of four letters, considered offensive or vulgar because of their reference to excrement or sex.
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any word, typically of four letters, that represents something forbidden, disliked, or regarded with extreme distaste.
In the dieter's vocabulary, “cake” is a four-letter word.
noun
Etymology
Origin of four-letter word
First recorded in 1925–30
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.
“And time,” he said, “is the most urgent four letter word when you’re my age.”
From New York Times • Nov. 26, 2019
After last year’s winter, snow is a four letter word on everyone’s mind.
From Washington Times • Oct. 3, 2015
There were Senators who worked across the aisle, who accomplished great things, whose beliefs were different, but who knew that compromise was not a four letter word.
From US News • Jun. 25, 2014
Dr Grant avoids using what he calls the "four letter word".
From BBC • Feb. 17, 2010
By various artists This anthology of eight page stories by today's best creators, centers on the four letter word themes of "Love," "Hate," "Fate" and "Fear."
From Time • Dec. 16, 2004
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
