potty mouth

noun

US, informal
1
: a tendency to use vulgar language
… a very active, loud friend with a potty mouth.Martha Brockenbrough, Parenting, July 2009
… a women's team with such potty mouths that the networks can't use mikes on the sidelines.Washington Post, 16 Oct. 2010
Age hasn't slowed down her potty mouth, and anyone and everyone is ripe for her scathing remarks.Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 4 June 2010
2
: a person who uses vulgar language : a foulmouthed person
… a player who should be fined for being such a loud potty mouth.Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2011
He is a potty mouth who offends plenty of people, including his mom.George Diaz, Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2010
potty-mouthed adjective US, informal
A persistent, potty-mouthed single mom lands a filing job at a small-time law office, terrifies her co-workers and winds up leading to a $330 million class-action lawsuit. Jeff Giles et al., Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2001
… music albums featuring big names, synthesized music and potty-mouthed lyrics that have thoughtful parents dashing to cover innocent ears. Chris Rodell, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2002

Word History

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of potty mouth was in 1969

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Cite this Entry

“Potty mouth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potty%20mouth. Accessed 15 Dec. 2025.

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