Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

four-letter

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.85 in modern English

Syllables: four-let-ter
IPA

13

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

3

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see four-letter: containing four letters.

adj

Consisting of or characterised by swear words and profanity.

Example Sentences

"a four-letter reply, a four-letter insult, a four-letter tirade"

Etymology

Figurative use modelled on four-letter word.

Questions

What does four-letter mean?: Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see four-letter: containing four letters.
Where does four-letter come from?: Figurative use modelled on four-letter word.

How to pronounce four-letter

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “four-letter”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “four-letter”.
Repeat and practice — Say “four-letter” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.