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# the f-word

phrase (noun phrase, «the f-word», also «the F-word»; the f-words)

«the f-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, polite) a very rude swear word beginning with the letter f, named without saying it.
2. (humorous) any word someone does not want to hear that starts with f, e.g. «failure», «fat», «feelings».

### In the lessons

Used by parents, teachers, news readers and polite writers to talk about the rude word without saying it («He used the f-word on live TV»). Neutral and polite in all English-speaking countries. Jokingly, people call other touchy words «the f-word» too.

### Examples

- (teacher) Somebody wrote the f-word on the wall.
- (news) The footballer was fined for using the f-word in an interview.
- (parent) We don't use the f-word in this house!
- (chat) he literally said the f-word in front of his nan
- (joke) In our family, "fitness" is the f-word.
- (report) The film is rated 15 for strong language, including the f-word.
- (school) Saying the f-word gets you a detention.

### Note

Trap: «the f-word» names a swear word but is not itself rude, so it is safe to say. The actual word is very offensive; pupils should not say it. Similar: «the s-word», «the b-word».