dirty word
The name of a topic that a person prefers not to hear or discuss.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“In this office, budget cuts are a dirty word.”
“After the failed merger, the name of the rival company became a dirty word among the staff.”
“For the traditionalists in the department, any mention of radical innovation was treated as a dirty word that threatened their established way of working.”
- 01
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
- 02
air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 03
bad word
A vulgar word.
- 04
breathe a word
To divulge even part of a secret (usually used with a negative).
- 05
dicky
[Cockney slang]word
- 06
dirty laundry
Unflattering or embarrassing facts, or questionable activities that one wants to remain secret, but which someone else may use as blackmail.
- 07
dirty look
An unpleasant or disdainful look or expression, often directed at someone.
- 08
dirty money
Money that is illegally gained, illegally transferred or illegally utilized, especially money gained through forgery, bribery, prostitution, money laundering, or theft.
Last updated August 10, 2026