swear word

or swear·word

[ swair wurd ]

noun

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of swear word¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

Used to be that if you said a swear word, your mama would wash your damn mouth out with soap.

From The Daily Beast

Tom said a very emphatic swear word, which does not look well in print, then buried his head in one of the sofa cushions.

From Project Gutenberg

Couldn't make out how many kinds of perfectly swear-word fool he was?

From Project Gutenberg

If he did not take a leaf out of the Icelanders' book and make use of their swear-word, Helvit!

From Project Gutenberg

It has the advantage of meaning nothing, and that is precisely what a swear word should mean.

From Project Gutenberg

This somewhat shocked the ladies, but Mrs. Mayston Ryle could not spoil her point by the omission of a swear word.

From Project Gutenberg