Definition

1. Noun:
   • A word considered taboo or unmentionable: A term that is socially, culturally, or personally avoided or considered inappropriate to say in polite conversation.
   • An offensive or indecent word or phrase: A term that is vulgar, obscene, or profane.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • In that company, "budget cuts" is a dirty word. (Here, "dirty word" means a topic considered taboo or unacceptable to mention.)
  • The teacher asked the students not to use any dirty words in their essays. (Here, "dirty word" refers to an offensive or indecent term.)
  • For the dedicated environmentalist, "compromise" can be a dirty word. (This shows a concept or idea that is personally or ideologically rejected.)

Advanced Usage

• Conceptual Taboo: "Dirty word" is often used metaphorically to describe not just a single term, but any concept, idea, or policy that is strongly disapproved of or considered unacceptable in a particular context.
  • In this household, laziness is a dirty word.
• Euphemistic Context: The phrase itself can be a euphemism when referring to actual swear words or profanity, especially in mixed company.
  • He muttered a few dirty words under his breath after stubbing his toe.

Variants and Related Words

• Profanity (n): Blasphemous or obscene language.
• Obscenity (n): An extremely offensive word or expression; indecency.
• Taboo (n/adj): A social or cultural prohibition; forbidden.
• Expletive (n): An oath or swear word, often one that is exclaimed.
• Curse word (n): A word used in cursing; a profane or obscene word.
• Four-letter word (n): A short word (often with four letters) considered vulgar or obscene (e.g., a swear word).

Synonyms

• Swear word
• Vulgarism
• Expletive
• Profanity

Related Phrases

• A dirty look: A look expressing disapproval, anger, or disgust, often given in response to hearing or thinking of something considered a "dirty word" or inappropriate.
  • She gave him a dirty look when he used that language.
• Dirty laundry: Personal secrets or private matters that are embarrassing if made public. This idiom shares the metaphorical use of "dirty" to mean "shameful" or "unacceptable to discuss."
  • They didn't want to air their dirty laundry in public.

Related Idioms

• To wash one's mouth out with soap: A humorous or scolding idiom suggesting someone has used dirty words and needs to be cleansed.
  • If you keep using those dirty words, I'll wash your mouth out with soap!
• Not in my vocabulary: An idiom used to strongly reject an idea or concept, similar to calling it a "dirty word."
  • "Defeat" is not in my vocabulary.

Noun

1. a word that is considered to be unmentionable
   • `failure' is a dirty word to him
2. an offensive or indecent word or phrase