four-letter word
noun
: any of a group of vulgar or obscene words typically made up of four letters
broadly
: a taboo word or topic
tax is a four-letter word to him
Examples of four-letter word in a Sentence
clapped her hands over the toddler's ears so he wouldn't hear the four-letter word
Recent Examples on the Web
For Polis, who disdains hardliners in both parties, ideology is something of a four-letter word.
—
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2023
Despite being an overall success in stabilizing the financial industry — the federal government actually made almost $8 billion on the program — TARP became a four-letter word in politics.
—Paul Kane, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2023
Never one to censor herself, Madonna's latest fashion statement can be summarized with a four-letter word.
—Glenn Garner, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2023
What’s a four-letter word for funny, sweet, silly, huggable, wonderful, and mine?
—Angela Belt, House Beautiful, 2 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for four-letter word
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Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2023
Despite being an overall success in stabilizing the financial industry — the federal government actually made almost $8 billion on the program — TARP became a four-letter word in politics.
—Paul Kane, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2023
Never one to censor herself, Madonna's latest fashion statement can be summarized with a four-letter word.
—Glenn Garner, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2023
What’s a four-letter word for funny, sweet, silly, huggable, wonderful, and mine?
—Angela Belt, House Beautiful, 2 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for four-letter word
Cite this Entry
“Four-letter word.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/four-letter%20word. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.
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