swear word

American  

[swair wurd] / ˈswɛər ˌwɜrd /

Or swearword

noun

1. a word used in swearing or cursing; a profane or obscene word.

   Synonyms:

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

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Etymology

Origin of swear word

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

"It could be anything from a swear word to telling somebody they're beautiful. I don't know what it's going to be."

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

“I can’t really say it because there’s a swear word in it,” Quinton Byfield said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2024

“That’s I guess why I thought the word that I said was a swear word and not way worse than it actually is.”

From Seattle Times • Sep. 1, 2023

After this conflict, Musgrave predicts Ukrainians will add a new swear word to their vocabulary: “Putin.”

From Washington Post • Mar. 4, 2022

I sit. putting down my basket, strawberries again, chicken again, and I note the swear word: something new.

From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood