Elamur: [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Parse](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/parse/) · **Dictionary** · [Translate](https://md.translate.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Research](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [MCP](https://mcp.elamur.ai/) · [Groupants](https://md.groupants.elamur.ai/free/en/)

[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/a-four-letter-word/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [A](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/a/) / a four-letter word

# a four-letter word

phrase (noun phrase: a four-letter word, four-letter words)

«a four-letter word» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism) a swear word, a rude word.
2. (joke) any word or idea someone dislikes: for him «work» is a four-letter word.
3. (literal) any word with four letters.

### In the lessons

Polite way of mentioning swearing without saying it; all regions; news, parents, teachers. The joke sense says someone hates an idea.

### Examples

- He dropped a four-letter word on live TV.
- No four-letter words at the dinner table, please.
- For my brother, «homework» is a four-letter word.
- «Diet» is a four-letter word in our house.
- Puzzle: find a four-letter word that starts with B.
- The film has some four-letter words, so it is rated 15.

### Note

Stands for «a swear word». Many English swear words have four letters, hence the name. In a word puzzle it is literal. Joke sense: «homework» has eight letters but «is a four-letter word» = disliked.