bad word
A vulgar word.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Do not use a bad word in front of your teacher.”
“The child got in trouble at school for repeating a bad word he heard on the playground.”
“Although the comedian often relies on shock value, he managed to deliver a sharp critique of society without resorting to a single bad word.”
- 01
bad actor
An individual or entity with a prior criminal conviction, or who has been sanctioned by the court or regulator.
- 02
bad apple
A person who is not wholesome, honest, or trustworthy, especially one who has an adverse influence on others.
- 03
bad books
Disfavor.
- 04
bad business
Synonym of bad news (“irritating, troublesome or harmful thing, situation or person”).
- 05
bad company
The wrong crowd.
- 06
bad egg
Someone whose behaviour is reprehensible or irresponsible; a rogue.
- 07
bad hair day
A day when things seem to be unmanageable or go wrong.
- 08
bad iron
bad luck.
Last updated August 10, 2026