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
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 
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
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.
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Cite this Entry
“Four-letter word.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/four-letter%20word. Accessed 18 Sep. 2024.
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