Skip to main content
cussword

cussword

1 8.6
A rude word people use when angry or to insult someone
  • noun
  • /ˈkʌsˌwɜrd/
  • Offensive
translation icon : palabrota
  • THAT'S A CUSSWORD ON THE OPEN RANGE.

Examples

  • Nothing cut down on cusswords like having to shit in a goddamned outhouse.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • What about cusswords?

    Academic text (2003)
  • "Jesus" was a cussword to me, but the Lord changed my life.

  • This wasn't a cussword patrol.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • "What the fuck are you doing?" He swore nearly as well as Mom, cusswords shot with effortless aim.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • I can tell by the way her mouth goes tight, like it's full of cusswords you can't say because you're around churchy people.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • I'm not sure anyone is making the argument that it is perfectly fine to bring stroller-age kids to a loud, violent, bloody, cussword-laced movie, except for the sidebar discussions of "how young is too young" and "how much do kids remember."

    Blog text (1)
  • He shouted a cussword when he stubbed his toe.

  • Many comedians use cusswords to make their jokes funnier.

  • She avoided using a cussword in front of her parents.

Synonyms

abuse
vscussword
  • Offensive
155 3.4

Rude or insulting words said to hurt someone

is an offensive word used to show strong emotion rather than to harm repeatedly
expletive
vscussword
  • Offensive
55 8.2

A rude word used to show strong anger or surprise

is mainly an insulting angry word rather than an exclamation of shock
profanity
vscussword
  • Offensive
43 6.0

Words that are rude and upset people, often about religion

is broader rude emotional language not focused on beliefs or morals
dirty word
vscussword
  • NSFW
18 7.1

A word people think is rude or not polite

is specifically an angry or insulting word used to express emotion
curse word
vscussword
  • Offensive
8 5.8

A rude word people say to show strong anger or surprise

focuses more on anger or insult than on surprise or shock
naughty word
vscussword
  • Offensive
1 6.1

A rude word that is not for children

is an offensive emotional word used by anyone, not only judged by child rules
swearword
vscussword
  • Offensive
1 7.2

A rude word people say when they are angry or surprised

leans more toward insulting or angry use rather than general emotion
vulgarism
vscussword
  • Offensive
1 9.2

An offensive or rude word considered inappropriate in polite speech

is a rude emotional term not only judged by politeness or decency
vulgar term
vscussword
  • Offensive
9.8

A rude word about sex or body parts

is any offensive emotional word not limited to sexual or crude topics
scurrility
vscussword
  • Offensive
9.9

Very rude words or actions that hurt people

is a single rude word focused on emotional insult rather than broader behavior
contumely
vscussword
  • Offensive
9.9

Rude words or actions that aim to hurt someone

is a rude word used to express strong feeling rather than sustained mistreatment

How Offensive

obscenity
  • Offensive
50 7.4
cussword
  • Offensive
1 8.6
profanity
  • Offensive
43 6.0

Surface Forms

cussword singular
cusswords plural

Morphology

cussword = cuss + word (transparent) = cuss + word

A straightforward compound of 'cuss' + 'word' meaning 'a swear/curse word', which learners can derive from the components.

Etymology

Cussword starts with cuss, which is a casual spoken form of curse, a word that once meant 'to wish harm' or to speak angrily. So a cussword is a rude or offensive word used to show strong feeling or anger.