Swearword
/ˈswɛə.wɜːd/noun
A profane, offensive, or taboo word used to express anger, emphasis, or emotion.
Did you know?The first half of this word comes from Old English swǣrian, meaning to take an oath, so the modern insult is built on the older power of sworn speech, not just profanity.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*swer-
“to speak or make a sound”
Old English
OE
swǣrian
“to swear, take an oath”
Middle English
ME
sweren
“to swear, affirm by oath; later also to curse”
Early Modern English
English
swear word
“a profane or blasphemous word”
Modern English
English
swearword
“a taboo or offensive word”