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
Synonyms
Examples of four-letter word in a Sentence
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
In an audio excerpt, an air traffic controller can be heard uttering a four-letter word.
—Livia Albeck-Ripka, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2023
The only hard coral in Rhode Island waters, it’s often described with a four-letter word: drab.
—BostonGlobe.com, 20 May 2021
Their cackling machinations to keep their seats and punish opponents, all while insulting Black people, Oaxacans and others, made the very idea of Latino political power a four-letter word.
—Gustavo Arellanocolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2022
Mater Dei Catholic tennis coach Jose Oropeza says there is a four-letter word that is unacceptable on his team.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Nov. 2022
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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
In an audio excerpt, an air traffic controller can be heard uttering a four-letter word.
—Livia Albeck-Ripka, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2023
The only hard coral in Rhode Island waters, it’s often described with a four-letter word: drab.
—BostonGlobe.com, 20 May 2021
Their cackling machinations to keep their seats and punish opponents, all while insulting Black people, Oaxacans and others, made the very idea of Latino political power a four-letter word.
—Gustavo Arellanocolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2022
Mater Dei Catholic tennis coach Jose Oropeza says there is a four-letter word that is unacceptable on his team.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Nov. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'four-letter 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
1897, in the meaning defined above
Articles Related to four-letter word
Dictionary Entries Near 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 9 Dec. 2023.
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