four-letter word

noun

Synonyms of four-letter word next

: any of a group of vulgar or obscene words typically made up of four letters

broadly : a taboo word or topic

tax is a four-letter word to him

Examples of four-letter word in a Sentence

clapped her hands over the toddler's ears so he wouldn't hear the four-letter word

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

For Polis, who disdains hardliners in both parties, ideology is something of a four-letter word. —

Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2023 Despite being an overall success in stabilizing the financial industry — the federal government actually made almost $8 billion on the program — TARP became a four-letter word in politics. —

Paul Kane, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2023 Never one to censor herself, Madonna's latest fashion statement can be summarized with a four-letter word. —

Glenn Garner, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2023 What’s a four-letter word for funny, sweet, silly, huggable, wonderful, and mine? —

Angela Belt, House Beautiful, 2 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for four-letter word

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of four-letter word was in 1897

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Four-letter word.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/four-letter%20word. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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