dirty word

noun

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

Synonyms of dirty word

• curse
• swear
• language

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

Capex has become a dirty word among tech investors because the more hyperscalers spend, the more their stocks fall due to uncertainty about the return on those investments. — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 23 July 2026

Escrow has been a dirty word for NHL players and agents for years, as player salaries were docked to make NHL accounting work under terms of the CBA. — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 13 July 2026

The Jewish people’s movement for self-determination in their biblical homeland — called Zionism — has become a dirty word on college campuses and in liberal political parties, and increasingly in some conservative ones. — Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 16 June 2026

Nuclear was once a dirty word, but its rehabilitation has proceeded much faster than expected. — Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1774, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dirty word

• afterword
• firebird
• hummingbird
• ladybird
• mockingbird
• overheard
• thunderbird
• undergird
• undeterred
• absurd
• averred
• bluebird