four-letter word

noun

: 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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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

Dictionary Entries Near four-letter word

Cite this Entry

“Four-letter word.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/four-letter%20word. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.

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