curse word

noun

: a profane or obscene oath or word : curse, swear word
Eisenhower could swear as eloquently as most sergeants, but he went easy on the curse words in mixed company.Stephen E. Ambrose

Examples of curse word in a Sentence

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.
During this week's episode of Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce, the mom of four shared that her oldest daughter Wyatt, 5, said her first curse word while watching a Philadelphia Eagles game at home. Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025 And the show’s name, which notably rhymes with a famous curse word, got people talking. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025 And, in a separate controversy, a bit Ego Nwodim led playing a hacky standup comic during an Update segment prompted the audience to shout out a curse word in unison, unplanned. Eric Deggans, NPR, 18 May 2025 Here is the adorable moment (but be aware there is a curse word in this exchange). Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for curse word

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of curse word was in 1870

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Cite this Entry

“Curse word.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curse%20word. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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