four-letter word

[ fawr-let-er, fohr- ]
/ ˈfɔrˌlɛt ər, ˈfoʊr- /

noun

any of a number of short words, usually of four letters, considered offensive or vulgar because of their reference to excrement or sex.
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.

Origin of four-letter word

First recorded in 1925–30

Words nearby four-letter word

four-hundred-day clock, four-in-hand, four-lane, four-leaf clover, four-legged, four-letter word, four-letter words, four-masted, four-masted brig, four-o'clock, four-o'clock family

Words related to four-letter words

profanity, vulgarity, expletive, obscenity, curse, oath, swear, cuss, swearword

British Dictionary definitions for four-letter words

four-letter word

noun

any of several short English words referring to sex or excrement: often used as swearwords and regarded generally as offensive or obscene

Cultural definitions for four-letter words (1 of 2)

four-letter words

Obscene (see obscenity) or very vulgar words of four letters, such as piss. Most four-letter words refer to excretion or sex.

Cultural definitions for four-letter words (2 of 2)

four-letter words

Euphemism for the most common verbal obscenities.

Idioms and Phrases with four-letter words

four-letter word

Any of several short English words that are generally regarded as vulgar or obscene. For example, No four-letter words are permitted in this classroom. This expression is applied mostly to words describing excretory or sexual functions. [First half of 1900s]