: a word, expression, or idea that is disagreeable or unpopular in a particular frame of reference
Synonyms
curse
cuss
cussword
expletive
four-letter word
obscenity
profanity
swear
swearword
vulgarism
See all Synonyms & Antonyms
Example Sentences
The movie is just a lot of sex, violence, and dirty words. They regard “taxes” as a dirty word. The way he acts, you'd think compassion was a dirty word.
Recent Examples on the WebInventory is frequently regarded as a dirty word, borne of a natural tendency to want to hold a company’s assets in their most liquid form, like cash. Mark Lippett, Forbes, 12 Apr. 2022 For many in the outdoor industry, Amazon has become something of a dirty word.Outside Online, 14 May 2018 While the Romans loved their baths, bathing became a dirty word for the next several hundred years. Harry Enten, CNN, 14 May 2022 Globalization nowadays may be a dirty word, but having diverse suppliers is an economic strength. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 13 May 2022 Herd immunity in the absence of a vaccine soon became a dirty word. David Robertson, STAT, 30 Mar. 2022 But in the past year, SPAC has become a bit of a dirty word — or acronym — on Wall Street. Paul R. La Monica, CNN, 29 Mar. 2022 Adaptation used to be a dirty word among environmentalists, who viewed the notion as defeatist — an admission of the failure to cut emissions, or an invitation not to try.New York Times, 31 Oct. 2021 Stagflation is the dirty word that describes the confluence of stubborn inflation, high unemployment, and stagnant demand. Greg Petro, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2021 See More
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1774, in the meaning defined above
dirty words
noun
plural of dirty word
as in curses
a disrespectful or indecent word or expression I'm afraid I won't be much help on the trip—the only Spanish I know is a handful of dirty words