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
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

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 22 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!