a-word
Word Rarity
Common
Frequency: 5.26 in modern English
9
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
3
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
The word alleluia, typically in the context of Lent since the Lenten liturgies of various Christian churches omit the alleluia.
noun
Any word beginning with a that is not normally taboo but is considered (often humorously) to be so in the given context.
Example Sentences
- "It was Lent; “alleluia” is not sung in the Catholic church during Lent. I told her Babloo liked songs with the “A-word.”"
- "My congregation is frustrated because we can’t sing carols during Advent, and now we can’t say the A-word [Alleluia] during Lent."
- "What we give up — the A-word. […] I added what we call the A-word in Lent, since we stop saying “a-l-l-e-l-u-i-a” for this season (Shhhh!)."
- "Most of the candidates have skirted the AIDS issue as much as possible, mentioning the "A word" only when asked a direct question."
- "Specialists sometimes choose PDD-NOS instead of an autism diagnosis because they are afraid that the “a-word” frightens patients."