bad words
Speech requiring censorship
Bad words are terms considered offensive, vulgar, or inappropriate—words you're not supposed to say, especially in polite company or around children.
The category shifts by context: what's a bad word at the dinner table may be unremarkable among friends.
Children learn about bad words early, often discovering their power before understanding their meaning: She got in trouble for saying a bad word.
Also called swear words, curse words, or dirty words.
- cussingUsing profane language
- expletivesVulgar exclamations
- foul languageObscene or vulgar speech
- oathsSolemn binding promises
- profanityVulgar or obscene speech
swearing · four-letter word · malediction · strong language · scatological · invective · potty mouth · slurs · billingsgate · locker room talk · bleep · bleeped out · vulgarity · dirty · filthy · crude · offensive · inappropriate
bad wordsgood words
Supportive, affirming language
kind words · blessings · prayers · benedictions · gentle words