effing

adjective or adverb

eff·​ing ˈe-fiŋ 

informal

—used as a euphemism for fucking

—used especially as an intensive

"Shit, Bellinghausen, this is the stupidest effing stunt you've ever pulled," and we're off running again …

—Douglas Coupland

Mabel is absent for most of the story, but is unforgettable. "You're all effing mad", she shrieks at the five new guests …

—Carol Ann Duffy

On the flip side, I once received an effing cool email from Josh Brolin …

—Lisa Schwarzbaum

Examples of effing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Marketing strategist Name three of your favorite hobbies: Running, telling jokes, making money List three adjectives that best describe yourself: Fun-seeking (is that a word?), growth-minded, effing capable of anything! —Dalton Ross, EW.com, 5 Feb. 2024

But in order to sell the effing tree, a crew first needs to move the effing trees. —Alexandra E. Petri, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2023

There would be ways to keep the show going (more on that below), but Ted winning the whole effing thing — or very nearly doing so — and then Wizard of Oz-ing back to Kansas would certainly bring things to a close. —Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 May 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined above