grawlix

American

[graw-liks, grah-liks] / ˈgrɔˌlɪks, ˈgrɑˌlɪks /

noun

grawlixes

a sequence of typographic symbols used to replace or suggest profanity, especially in comic books and graphic novels: $*!#%.

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

The use of grawlix is mostly limited to cartoons and casual fiction writing.

From Washington Post • Jul. 16, 2021

Did you know that there’s a term for that: grawlix.

From Washington Post • Jul. 16, 2021

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023