Standard Lemma guide

four-letter

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see four-letter: containing four letters.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Consisting of or characterised by swear words and profanity.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • a four-letter reply, a four-letter insult, a four-letter tirade

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Figurative use modelled on four-letter word.