dirty word

noun

: a word, expression, or idea that is disagreeable or unpopular in a particular frame of reference

Examples of dirty word in a Sentence

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 Web Now, changing customer attitudes, regulatory action, and improvements by larger financial players have made tipping and junk fees dirty words. Jennifer Tescher, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024 Now, free trade is a dirty word for Democrats and Republicans alike. Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 2 Mar. 2021 Hot With a Vengeance, Sable Yong looks to understand why vanity is still such a dirty word in a culture so obsessed with beauty. Shannon Carlin, TIME, 27 June 2024 Nuance is a dirty word inside the Valley of the Stupid. Bob Raissman, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dirty word 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dirty word.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1774, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dirty word was circa 1774

Dictionary Entries Near dirty word

Cite this Entry

“Dirty word.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dirty%20word. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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