From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The phrase four-letter word refers to a set of English-language words written with four letters which are considered profane, including common popular or slang terms for excretory functions, sexual activity and genitalia, blasphemies, terms relating to Hell or damnation when used outside of religious contexts, or slurs. The «four-letter» claim refers to the fact that many (but not all) English «swear words» are incidentally four-character monosyllables. The term was used in this sense as early as 1886 in the United States and Great Britain.[1]
History[edit]
Common four-letter words (in this sense) that are widely considered vulgar or offensive to a notable degree include: cunt, fuck (and regional variants such as feck, fick, fock and foak), jism (or gism), jizz, shit, slut, twat and tits. Piss (formerly an offensive swear word) in particular, however, may be used in non-excretory contexts (pissed off, i.e. «angry», in US English and British UK English; pissed, i.e. «drunk» in UK English) that are often not considered particularly offensive, and the word also occurs several times with its excretory meaning in the King James Bible. Several of these have been declared legally indecent under the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) TV and radio open-airwave broadcasting regulations.
A number of additional words of this length are upsetting to some, for religious or personal sensitivity reasons, such as: arse (UK), damn, crap, hell, piss, wang, and wank (UK). Racist, ableist, and slurs pertaining to an individual’s sexual orientation may also qualify, such as mong (in the UK not a racial slur,[citation needed] but short for Mongol, or someone with Down syndrome – previously called Mongolism), gook, kike, spic, coon, dago and dyke.
Several «four-letter words» have multiple meanings (some even serving as given names), and usually only offend when used in their vulgar senses, for example:
cock,
dick,
knob,
muff,
puss,
shag (UK) and
toss (UK).
A borderline category includes words that are euphemistic evasions of «stronger» words, as well as those that happen to be short and have both an expletive sound to some listeners as well as a sexual or excretory meaning (many also have other, non-vulgar meanings):
butt (US),
crud,
darn,
dump,
heck,
poop (US),
slag (UK, NZ, AUS),
slut and
turd, as several examples.
Finally, certain four-lettered terms with limited usage can be considered offensive by some, within the regional dialect in which they are used, such as
mong and
mary.
Occasionally the phrase «four-letter word» is humorously used to describe common words composed of four letters. Typical examples include the word work, implying that work can be unpleasant, or the game of golf, jokingly referred to as a four-letter word when a player’s pastime becomes an exercise in frustration. Charlotte Observer journalist Doug Robarchek noted in 1993 how many politicians have names with four letters, «Ever notice how many U.S. politicians have names that are also four-letter words? Ford, Dole, Duke, Bush, Gore … and how many make us think of four-letter words?»[2]
Similar euphemisms in other languages[edit]
- Chinese: The term 三字經 (lit. Three Character Classic) is used to describe swearing, as many such phrases in Chinese consist of three characters.
- Dutch: A similar tradition occurs with «three-letter words», e.g. kut («cunt»/»twat»), pik and lul («cock»/»dick»/»prick»).
- Finnish: Rude words tend to be five-letter words, like the common swear word perse meaning «arse», or paska meaning «shit». Other offensive five-letter words refer to the genital region, eg. kulli and kyrpä («cock»/»dick»/»prick»), along with pillu and vittu («twat»/»cunt»).
- French: the word merde («shit») is sometimes referred to as le mot de cinq lettres («the five-letter word»), or le mot de Cambronne. Also, profanities in French are usually called gros mots (coarse words).
- German: the phrase Setz dich auf deine vier Buchstaben! («sit down on your four letters») is mainly used speaking to children, as it refers to the word Popo, meaning «rump» in baby talk. A variant, Setz dich auf deine fünf Buchstaben! («sit down on your five letters»), alludes to the vulgar use of the word Arsch, meaning «arse» (UK) or «ass» (US).
- Latin: a common insult used to be Es vir trium litterarum, meaning «you are a man of three letters». The underlying implication was that the addressed was a fur, meaning «thief», although if challenged, the speaker could always claim he simply meant vir, that is, «man».
- Polish: the word dupa («arse»/»ass») is called cztery litery («the four letters»). Historically, also kiep, which formerly used to be a taboo word meaning «female genitals», but presently is a mild or humorous insult meaning «a fool» or a modern slang term for a cigarette. There is also a phrase Siadaj na cztery litery (sit down on your four letter), meaning sit on your arse.
- Russian: the word хуй («cock»/»dick»/»prick»), the most common obscenity, is called «the three-letter word» (russ.: «слово из трёх букв») or just «three letters» (russ.: «три буквы») and is one of the key words of the «Russian mat».
In popular culture[edit]
Generic references, not specifying the word:
- Cole Porter’s 1934 song «Anything Goes» includes the line «Good authors too who once knew better words, now only use four-letter words writing prose. Anything goes.»
- Elton John’s I’ve Seen That Movie Too from his 1973 album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road contains the phrase in the chorus.
- Cheap Trick’s 1982 album One on One finishes with a song titled «Four Letter Word».
- The Cardigans in their song «For What It’s Worth», use the «four-letter word» expression several times.
- That Four-Letter Word is a 2006 independent film from India.
- Welsh punk band Four Letter Word, formed in 1991, named themselves after the phrase.
- A Four Letter Word is also the title of a 2007 gay-themed movie starring Jesse Archer and Charlie David.
- «Four Letter Word» is also the title of a 2003 song by Def Leppard.
- American punk-rock band Gossip released a track entitled «Four Letter Word» on their 2009 album Music For Men.
- The 2007 Cold in California album by Ingram Hill includes a track entitled «Four Letter Word».
- The opening track of Beady Eye’s 2011 album Different Gear, Still Speeding is entitled «Four Letter Word».
- Echobelly on their album On (Echobelly album) included a song named: «Four Letter Word».
- Chocolate Starfish have a track called «Four Letter Word» on their eponymous album.
- The song «Irresistible» by Fall Out Boy features the line «You know I give my love a four-letter name».
- In the 2019 BBC-HBO mini-series Years and Years written by Russell T Davies, after controversialist businesswoman Vivienne Rook gains popularity by claiming that she «doesn’t give a fuck» about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict whilst on Question Time and subsequently railing against being censored, she establishes the populist, far-right Four Star Party, whose symbol is four asterisks.
A specified word that actually has four letters:
Love:
- The fact that love is a word with four letters has been used in several popular song titles, including «Love Is Just a Four-Letter Word» written by Bob Dylan and performed by Joan Baez, «Four Letter Word» written by Ricki and Marty Wilde and performed by Kim Wilde, «4 Letter Word» written by Claude Kelly and Matt Squire and performed by David Cook.
- A television show called Love Is a Four Letter Word was produced by ABC in Australia.[3]
- Jack Ingram’s song «Love You», uses love as a play on another four-letter word: «Yeah, I’m sick an’ lovin’ tired of all your lovin’ around».
- Metallica uses the line «Love is a four-letter word» in the song «The Day That Never Comes» from their album Death Magnetic.
- R&B singer Raheem DeVaughan used the «love» meaning in his song «Four Letter Word» on his 2008 album Love Behind The Melody.
- Love Is a Four Letter Word, 2012, Jason Mraz
- The song «How We Do (’93 Til)» by Freddie Gibbs features the line «love is a four-letter word like fuck and shit, so, love, you can suck my dick».[4]
Work:
- In a song sung by Cilla Black and covered by The Smiths, «Work Is a Four-letter Word», this phrase is used to describe work as obscene.
- Work Is a Four-Letter Word is the title of a 1968 British comedy film.
Hope:
- The song «Counting Stars» by OneRepublic features the line «hope is our four-letter word».
Hate:
- The band Shock Therapy sang a song «Hate Is a 4-Letter Word».
Jazz:
- A photo-montage by partner-artists Privat & Primat is titled «Jazz and Love are 4-Letter Words».
Nice:
- Good Omens’s famous wall scene: Crowley’s «I’m not nice; nice is a four-letter word»
A specified word that does not actually have four letters:
- The band Cake made a play on words in their song «Friend Is a Four Letter Word.»
- The song «Baby, I’m an Anarchist» by Against Me! features the line «to you solidarity’s a four-letter word.»
- In Degrassi: The Next Generation Episode 504, Mr. Simpson (Snake) says «…in my life, spontaneous is a four-letter word.»
- In the song «Absolute zero» by «Stone Sour», there is a line that goes as follows: «Man is a four-letter word, it’s really absurd»
See also[edit]
- Seven dirty words
- Tetragrammaton
References[edit]
- ^ «four-letter word – Caught in the Web of Words». Retrieved 2021-12-28.
- ^ Doug Robarchek (September 29, 1993). «Outfront If You Ignore Deaths, Those State Rest Areas Are Perfectly Safe». Living. Charlotte Observer. p. 6C.
- ^ «love is a four letter word». Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2001. Retrieved 2014-08-13.
- ^ Freddie Gibbs, How We Do (’93 Til) lyrics
Four letter words. Come on, it’s no secret that four-letter words are the most popular in Scrabble, but are you getting the most out of your tiles? fizz, fuzz, jazz, words that you need to know if you want to get ahead of your Scrabble and Words with Friends opponents! Check out our perfect guide to words with four letters: Four letter words, and take your game to the next level! Have a look at these useful lists too: Two letter words and Three letter words!
Four letter words are the bricks in the «wall of Scrabble.» In the beginning and midgame, you will play more 4 letter words than any other, often using an S to make both the word you’re playing and another word into plurals. Four letter words can also help you get rid of less-than-optimal letters and then restore rack balance.
Four-Letter Strategy
Whether you’re playing Words With Friends, Scrabble, or any other word games, you have to know your four-letter word strategy. The trick is to play the letters with which it is difficult to make bingos so that you can get better letters for your next play. Most 4 letter words starting with Z are perfect for this, and they include ZANY, ZOON, ZYME, and ZOUK. You can also use 4 letter words starting with E to get rid of excess vowels. Examples include ECRU, EELS, EERY, and ECHO.
When it comes to 4 letter words starting with A, the same «get rid of excess vowels» trick applies. Some of the good words that will fulfill this include AGUE, AAHS, AERO, and ALAE. While having too many vowels is easier to deal with than having too many consonants, knowing these 4 letter words starting with A and 4 letter words starting with E are a terrific tool in maintaining rack balance. The same holds true of 4 letter words starting with Z, which is how you can get rid of troublesome consonants.
By judiciously playing four-letter words, you can become a stronger word games player after building your vocabulary.
4-Letter Words FAQ
How many 4 letter words are there?
There are 3,996 legal four-letter words, according to the Official Scrabble Player’s Dictionary, Volume 6.
What are some cool four-letter words?
Well, aside from the obvious BLUE language, there are AXEL, which is good for X hooking on triples, QUIZ, which is always fun on a triple-word score, hooking the I, and ZARF, which just sounds cool!
What are some four-letter words that start with A?
AQUA, AZAN, AXON, APEX and AWRY.
4 letter words! In this article, you will learn a list of common words that have 4 letters in English with ESL pictures to help you expand your vocabulary words.
4 Letter Words – A
- abed
- abet
- able
- ably
- abut
- acai
- aced
- aces
- ache
- achy
- acid
- acme
- acne
- acre
- acts
- adds
- adit
- adze
- aeon
- afar
- afro
- agar
- aged
- ages
- agog
- ague
- ahem
- aide
- aids
- ails
- aims
- airs
- airy
- ajar
- akin
- alar
- alas
- ales
- alga
- ally
- alms
- aloe
- also
- alto
- alum
- ambo
- amen
- amid
- ammo
- amok
- amps
- amyl
- ands
- anew
- ankh
- anna
- anon
- anti
- ants
- apes
- apex
- apps
- apse
- aqua
- arch
- arcs
- area
- aria
- arid
- aril
- arks
- arms
- army
- arse
- arts
- arty
- arum
- aryl
- ashy
- asks
- atom
- atop
- aunt
- aura
- auto
- aver
- avid
- avow
- away
- awed
- awes
- awls
- awry
- axed
- axel
- axes
- axil
- axis
- axle
- axon
4 Letter Words – B
- baba
- babe
- baby
- bach
- back
- bade
- bads
- bags
- baht
- bail
- bait
- bake
- bald
- bale
- balk
- ball
- balm
- band
- bane
- bang
- bank
- bans
- barb
- bard
- bare
- barf
- bark
- barn
- bars
- base
- bash
- bask
- bass
- bast
- bath
- bats
- batt
- baud
- bawl
- bays
- bead
- beak
- beam
- bean
- bear
- beat
- beau
- beck
- beds
- beef
- been
- beep
- beer
- bees
- beet
- begs
- bell
- belt
- bend
- bent
- berg
- berm
- best
- beta
- bets
- bevy
- beys
- bias
- bibb
- bibs
- bide
- bids
- bier
- biff
- bike
- bile
- bilk
- bill
- bind
- bint
- bios
- bird
- bite
- bits
- blab
- blah
- bleb
- bled
- blew
- blip
- blob
- bloc
- blog
- blot
- blow
- blue
- blur
- boar
- boas
- boat
- bobs
- bode
- bods
- body
- bogs
- bogy
- boil
- bola
- bold
- bole
- boll
- bolo
- bolt
- bomb
- bond
- bone
- bong
- bonk
- bony
- boob
- book
- boom
- boon
- boor
- boos
- boot
- bore
- born
- boss
- both
- bots
- bout
- bowl
- bows
- boxy
- boyo
- boys
- bozo
- brad
- brag
- bran
- bras
- brat
- bray
- bred
- brew
- brie
- brig
- brim
- brio
- bris
- brit
- bros
- brow
- buck
- buds
- buff
- bugs
- bulb
- bulk
- bull
- bump
- bums
- bund
- bung
- bunk
- buns
- bunt
- buoy
- burb
- burg
- burl
- burn
- burp
- burr
- bury
- bush
- busk
- buss
- bust
- busy
- butt
- buys
- buzz
- byes
- byre
- byte
4 Letter Words – C
- cabs
- cads
- cafe
- caff
- cage
- cake
- calf
- call
- calm
- came
- cami
- camo
- camp
- cams
- cane
- cans
- cape
- capo
- caps
- carb
- card
- care
- carp
- carr
- cars
- cart
- case
- cash
- cask
- cast
- cats
- caul
- cava
- cave
- cavy
- caws
- cays
- cede
- cell
- cels
- celt
- cent
- cess
- chad
- chai
- chap
- char
- chat
- chef
- chew
- chic
- chin
- chip
- chit
- chop
- chow
- chub
- chug
- chum
- ciao
- cite
- city
- clad
- clam
- clan
- clap
- claw
- clay
- clef
- clip
- clod
- clog
- clop
- clot
- club
- clue
- coal
- coat
- coax
- cobs
- coca
- cock
- coco
- coda
- code
- cods
- coed
- cogs
- coho
- coif
- coil
- coin
- coir
- coke
- cola
- cold
- cole
- colt
- coma
- comb
- come
- comp
- cone
- conk
- conn
- cons
- cook
- cool
- coop
- coos
- coot
- cope
- cops
- copy
- cord
- core
- cork
- corm
- corn
- cosh
- cost
- cosy
- cote
- cots
- coup
- cove
- cowl
- cows
- cozy
- crab
- crag
- cram
- crap
- craw
- crew
- crib
- crit
- croc
- crop
- crow
- crud
- crus
- crux
- cube
- cubs
- cuds
- cued
- cues
- cuff
- cull
- culm
- cult
- cups
- curb
- curd
- cure
- curl
- curs
- curt
- cusp
- cuss
- cute
- cuts
- cyan
- cyst
- czar
4 Letter Words – D
- dabs
- dace
- dada
- dado
- dads
- daft
- dais
- dale
- dame
- damn
- damp
- dams
- dank
- dare
- dark
- darn
- dart
- dash
- data
- date
- daub
- dawn
- days
- daze
- dead
- deaf
- deal
- dean
- dear
- debt
- deck
- deed
- deem
- deep
- deer
- deft
- defy
- deke
- deli
- dell
- delt
- demo
- dens
- dent
- deny
- derm
- desk
- dews
- dewy
- dhal
- dhow
- dial
- dice
- died
- dies
- diet
- digs
- dike
- dill
- dime
- dims
- dine
- ding
- dink
- dino
- dint
- dips
- dire
- dirt
- disc
- dish
- disk
- diss
- diva
- dive
- dock
- docs
- dodo
- doer
- does
- doff
- doge
- dogs
- dojo
- dole
- doll
- dolt
- dome
- done
- dong
- doom
- door
- dope
- dork
- dorm
- dory
- dosa
- dose
- dote
- doth
- dots
- dour
- dove
- down
- doxy
- doze
- dozy
- drab
- drag
- dram
- draw
- dray
- drew
- drip
- drop
- drug
- drum
- drys
- dual
- dubs
- duck
- duct
- dude
- duds
- duel
- dues
- duet
- duff
- dugs
- duke
- dull
- duly
- dumb
- dump
- dune
- dung
- dunk
- duns
- duos
- dupe
- dura
- dusk
- dust
- duty
- dyad
- dyed
- dyer
- dyes
- dyke
4 Letter Words – E
- each
- earl
- earn
- ears
- ease
- east
- easy
- eats
- eave
- ebbs
- echo
- ecru
- eddy
- edge
- edgy
- edit
- eels
- eggs
- eggy
- egos
- ekes
- elan
- elks
- ells
- elms
- else
- emic
- emir
- emit
- emmy
- emus
- ends
- envy
- eons
- epee
- epic
- eras
- ergs
- errs
- eruv
- etas
- etch
- euro
- even
- ever
- eves
- evil
- ewer
- ewes
- exam
- exec
- exit
- exon
- expo
- eyed
- eyes
4 Letter Words – F
- fabs
- face
- fact
- fade
- fado
- fads
- fail
- fain
- fair
- fake
- fall
- fame
- fang
- fans
- fare
- farm
- faro
- fart
- fast
- fate
- fats
- faun
- fava
- fave
- fawn
- faze
- fear
- feat
- feck
- feed
- feel
- fees
- feet
- fell
- felt
- fend
- fens
- fern
- fess
- fest
- feta
- fete
- feud
- fiat
- fibs
- fief
- fife
- figs
- file
- fill
- film
- filo
- find
- fine
- fink
- fins
- fire
- firm
- firs
- fish
- fist
- fits
- five
- fizz
- flab
- flag
- flak
- flam
- flan
- flap
- flat
- flaw
- flax
- flay
- flea
- fled
- flee
- flew
- flex
- flip
- flit
- floc
- floe
- flog
- flop
- flow
- flub
- flue
- flus
- flux
- foal
- foam
- fobs
- foci
- foes
- fogs
- fogy
- foil
- fold
- folk
- fond
- font
- food
- fool
- foot
- fops
- ford
- fore
- fork
- form
- fort
- foul
- four
- fowl
- foxy
- frag
- frat
- fray
- free
- fret
- frig
- frog
- from
- fuel
- fugu
- full
- fume
- fund
- funk
- furl
- furs
- fury
- fuse
- fuss
- futz
- fuzz
4 Letter Words – G
- gaff
- gage
- gags
- gain
- gait
- gala
- gale
- gall
- gals
- game
- gams
- gang
- gaol
- gape
- gaps
- garb
- gash
- gasp
- gate
- gave
- gawk
- gawp
- gays
- gaze
- gear
- geek
- gees
- gels
- gelt
- gems
- gene
- gens
- gent
- genu
- germ
- geta
- gets
- ghat
- ghee
- gibe
- gift
- gigs
- gild
- gill
- gilt
- gimp
- gins
- gird
- girl
- girt
- gist
- gite
- gits
- give
- glad
- glam
- glee
- glen
- glia
- glib
- glob
- glom
- glop
- glow
- glue
- glug
- glum
- glut
- gnar
- gnat
- gnaw
- gnus
- goad
- goal
- goat
- gobs
- goby
- gods
- goer
- goes
- gold
- golf
- gone
- gong
- good
- goof
- gook
- goon
- goop
- goos
- gore
- gory
- gosh
- goth
- gout
- gown
- goys
- grab
- grad
- gram
- gran
- gray
- gree
- grew
- grey
- grid
- grim
- grin
- grip
- grit
- grog
- grow
- grub
- grue
- guar
- guff
- gulf
- gull
- gulp
- gums
- gunk
- guns
- guru
- gush
- gust
- guts
- guys
- gyms
- gyre
- gyro
4 Letter Words – H
- hack
- haft
- hags
- hail
- hair
- hajj
- hake
- half
- hall
- halo
- halt
- hams
- hand
- hang
- hank
- haps
- hard
- hare
- hark
- harm
- harp
- hart
- hash
- hasp
- hate
- hath
- hats
- haul
- have
- hawk
- haws
- hays
- haze
- hazy
- head
- heal
- heap
- hear
- heat
- heck
- heed
- heel
- heft
- heir
- held
- hell
- helm
- helo
- help
- heme
- hemp
- hems
- hens
- herb
- herd
- here
- hero
- hers
- hewn
- hews
- hick
- hide
- hied
- high
- hike
- hill
- hilt
- hind
- hint
- hips
- hire
- hiss
- hits
- hive
- hiya
- hoar
- hoax
- hobo
- hock
- hoed
- hoes
- hogs
- hold
- hole
- holo
- holt
- holy
- home
- hone
- hong
- honk
- hood
- hoof
- hook
- hoop
- hoot
- hope
- hops
- hora
- horn
- hose
- host
- hour
- hove
- howl
- hubs
- huck
- hued
- hues
- huff
- huge
- hugs
- hula
- hulk
- hull
- hump
- hums
- hung
- hunk
- hunt
- hurl
- hurt
- hush
- husk
- huts
- hymn
- hype
- hypo
4 Letter Words – I
- ibex
- ibis
- iced
- ices
- icky
- icon
- idea
- idle
- idly
- idol
- iffy
- ikat
- ikon
- ills
- imam
- imps
- inch
- info
- inks
- inky
- inns
- into
- ions
- iota
- iris
- irks
- iron
- isle
- isms
- itch
- item
4 Letter Words – J
- jabs
- jack
- jade
- jail
- jake
- jamb
- jams
- jape
- jars
- java
- jaws
- jays
- jazz
- jean
- jeep
- jeer
- jeez
- jefe
- jell
- jerk
- jest
- jets
- jibe
- jibs
- jigs
- jilt
- jink
- jinn
- jinx
- jive
- jobs
- jock
- joey
- jogs
- john
- join
- joke
- jolt
- josh
- jots
- jowl
- joys
- judo
- judy
- jugs
- juju
- juke
- jump
- junk
- jury
- just
- jute
- juts
4 Letter Words – K
- kaka
- kale
- kami
- kart
- kata
- kava
- keel
- keen
- keep
- kegs
- kelp
- kept
- kerb
- kerf
- keto
- keys
- khan
- khat
- kick
- kids
- kill
- kiln
- kilo
- kilt
- kind
- king
- kips
- kiss
- kite
- kith
- kits
- kiva
- kiwi
- knee
- knew
- knit
- knob
- knot
- know
- koan
- kohl
- koji
- kola
- kook
- kora
- koto
- kudu
4 Letter Words – L
- labs
- lace
- lack
- lacy
- lads
- lady
- lags
- laid
- lain
- lair
- lake
- lakh
- lama
- lamb
- lame
- lamp
- lams
- land
- lane
- laps
- lard
- lark
- lash
- lass
- last
- late
- lath
- lats
- laud
- lava
- lave
- lawn
- laws
- lays
- laze
- lazy
- lead
- leaf
- leak
- lean
- leap
- leas
- leek
- leer
- leet
- left
- legs
- leis
- lend
- lens
- lent
- less
- lest
- levy
- lewd
- leys
- liar
- libs
- lice
- lick
- lids
- lied
- lien
- lier
- lies
- lieu
- life
- lift
- like
- lilt
- lily
- lima
- limb
- lime
- limn
- limo
- limp
- line
- ling
- link
- lint
- lion
- lips
- lira
- lisp
- list
- lite
- live
- load
- loaf
- loam
- loan
- lobe
- lobs
- loch
- lock
- loco
- lode
- loft
- loge
- logo
- logs
- loin
- loll
- lone
- long
- look
- loom
- loon
- loop
- loos
- loot
- lope
- lops
- lord
- lore
- lose
- loss
- lost
- loth
- lots
- loud
- lout
- love
- lows
- luau
- lube
- luck
- luff
- luge
- lugs
- lull
- lump
- lune
- lung
- lure
- lurk
- lush
- lust
- lute
- luvs
- lynx
- lyre
- lyse
4 Letter Words – M
- mace
- mach
- mack
- macs
- made
- mage
- magi
- mags
- maid
- maim
- main
- make
- maki
- mako
- male
- mall
- malt
- mama
- mane
- mans
- many
- maps
- mare
- mark
- marl
- mars
- mart
- masa
- mash
- mask
- mass
- mast
- mate
- math
- mats
- maul
- maws
- maxi
- maya
- mayo
- maze
- mazy
- mead
- meal
- mean
- meat
- meek
- meet
- mega
- meld
- melt
- memo
- mend
- menu
- meow
- mere
- mesa
- mesh
- mess
- meta
- mete
- mewl
- mews
- meze
- mica
- mice
- mics
- mids
- mien
- mike
- mild
- mile
- milk
- mill
- mime
- mina
- mind
- mine
- mini
- mink
- mint
- minx
- mire
- miry
- mise
- miso
- miss
- mist
- mite
- mitt
- moan
- moat
- mobs
- mock
- mode
- mods
- mojo
- mola
- mold
- mole
- moll
- molt
- moms
- monk
- mono
- mood
- mook
- moon
- moor
- moos
- moot
- mope
- mops
- more
- morn
- mosh
- moss
- most
- mote
- moth
- move
- mows
- much
- muck
- muds
- muff
- mugs
- mule
- mull
- mums
- mung
- muon
- murk
- muse
- mush
- musk
- muss
- must
- mute
- mutt
- myth
4 Letter Words – N
- naan
- nabe
- nabs
- naff
- nags
- nail
- name
- nana
- nans
- napa
- nape
- naps
- narc
- nard
- nary
- nave
- navy
- nays
- neap
- near
- neat
- neck
- need
- neem
- nene
- neon
- nerd
- ness
- nest
- nets
- news
- newt
- next
- nibs
- nice
- nick
- nigh
- nine
- nips
- nite
- nobs
- nock
- node
- nods
- noel
- noir
- nome
- none
- nook
- noon
- nope
- nori
- norm
- nose
- nosh
- nosy
- note
- noun
- nous
- nova
- nubs
- nude
- nuke
- null
- numb
- nuns
- nuts
4 Letter Words – O
- oafs
- oaks
- oaky
- oars
- oath
- oats
- obey
- obit
- oboe
- odds
- odes
- odor
- ogee
- ogle
- ogre
- oils
- oily
- oink
- okay
- okra
- olds
- oldy
- oleo
- olla
- omen
- omit
- once
- ones
- only
- onto
- onus
- onyx
- oops
- ooze
- oozy
- opal
- open
- opts
- opus
- oral
- orbs
- orca
- ordo
- ores
- orgy
- oryx
- orzo
- otic
- otto
- ouch
- ours
- oust
- outs
- ouzo
- oval
- oven
- over
- ovum
- owed
- owes
- owls
- owns
4 Letter Words – P
- pace
- pack
- pact
- pads
- page
- paid
- pail
- pain
- pair
- pale
- pall
- palm
- palp
- pals
- pane
- pang
- pans
- pant
- papa
- paps
- para
- pare
- park
- pars
- part
- pass
- past
- pate
- path
- pats
- pave
- pawn
- paws
- pays
- peak
- peal
- pear
- peas
- peat
- peck
- pecs
- peds
- peed
- peek
- peel
- peep
- peer
- pees
- pegs
- pelt
- pens
- pent
- peon
- pepo
- peri
- perk
- perm
- perp
- pert
- perv
- peso
- pest
- pets
- pews
- phew
- phis
- pica
- pice
- pick
- pics
- pied
- pier
- pies
- pigs
- pika
- pike
- pile
- pill
- pimp
- pine
- ping
- pink
- pins
- pint
- pion
- pipa
- pipe
- pish
- piss
- pita
- pith
- pits
- pity
- pixy
- plan
- plat
- play
- plea
- pleb
- pled
- plex
- plod
- plop
- plot
- plow
- ploy
- plug
- plum
- plus
- pock
- pods
- poem
- poet
- poke
- poky
- pole
- poll
- polo
- pols
- poly
- pome
- pomp
- pond
- pone
- pong
- pony
- poof
- pool
- poop
- poor
- pope
- pops
- pore
- pork
- porn
- port
- pose
- posh
- post
- posy
- pots
- pouf
- pour
- pout
- poxy
- pram
- pray
- prep
- prey
- prez
- prig
- prim
- prob
- prod
- prof
- prog
- prom
- prop
- pros
- prow
- psis
- pubs
- puck
- puds
- puff
- pugs
- puja
- puke
- pull
- pulp
- puma
- pump
- punk
- puns
- punt
- puny
- pupa
- pups
- pure
- puri
- purl
- purr
- push
- puss
- puts
- putt
- putz
- pyre
- pyro
4 Letter Words – Q
- quad
- quay
- quid
- quip
- quit
- quiz
4 Letter Words – R
- race
- rack
- racy
- rads
- raft
- raga
- rage
- rags
- raid
- rail
- rain
- raja
- rake
- raki
- raku
- rale
- rami
- ramp
- rams
- rang
- rank
- rant
- rape
- raps
- rapt
- rare
- rash
- rasp
- rate
- rath
- rats
- rave
- rays
- raze
- razz
- read
- real
- ream
- reap
- rear
- redo
- reed
- reef
- reek
- reel
- refs
- rein
- rely
- rems
- rend
- rent
- repo
- repp
- reps
- rest
- rete
- rhea
- ribs
- rice
- rich
- ride
- rids
- rife
- riff
- rift
- rigs
- rile
- rill
- rime
- rims
- rind
- ring
- rink
- riot
- ripe
- rips
- rise
- risk
- rite
- ritz
- road
- roam
- roan
- roar
- robe
- robs
- rock
- rode
- rods
- roes
- roil
- role
- roll
- romp
- roms
- rood
- roof
- rook
- room
- roos
- root
- rope
- ropy
- rose
- rosy
- rota
- rote
- roti
- roto
- rots
- rout
- roux
- rove
- rows
- rube
- rubs
- ruby
- ruck
- rude
- rued
- rues
- ruff
- rugs
- ruin
- rule
- rump
- rums
- rune
- rung
- runs
- runt
- ruse
- rush
- rust
- ruth
- ruts
4 Letter Words – S
- sack
- sacs
- safe
- saga
- sage
- sago
- sags
- said
- sail
- sake
- saki
- sale
- salt
- same
- sand
- sane
- sang
- sank
- saps
- sari
- sash
- sass
- sate
- sati
- save
- sawn
- saws
- says
- scab
- scad
- scam
- scan
- scar
- scat
- scot
- scow
- scud
- scum
- seal
- seam
- sear
- seas
- seat
- sect
- seed
- seek
- seem
- seen
- seep
- seer
- sees
- self
- sell
- semi
- send
- sent
- sept
- sere
- serf
- seta
- sets
- sett
- sewn
- sews
- sexy
- shad
- shag
- shah
- sham
- shed
- shew
- shim
- shin
- ship
- shit
- shiv
- shod
- shoe
- shoo
- shop
- shot
- show
- shul
- shun
- shut
- sibs
- sick
- side
- sift
- sigh
- sign
- sika
- silk
- sill
- silo
- silt
- sine
- sing
- sink
- sins
- sips
- sire
- sirs
- site
- sits
- size
- skeg
- skew
- skid
- skim
- skin
- skip
- skis
- skit
- skua
- slab
- slag
- slam
- slap
- slat
- slaw
- slay
- sled
- slew
- slid
- slim
- slip
- slit
- slob
- sloe
- slog
- slop
- slot
- slow
- slug
- slum
- slur
- smog
- smug
- smut
- snag
- snap
- snip
- snit
- snob
- snog
- snot
- snow
- snub
- snug
- soak
- soap
- soar
- soba
- sobs
- soca
- sock
- soda
- sods
- sofa
- soft
- soil
- sold
- sole
- solo
- soma
- some
- song
- sons
- soon
- soot
- sops
- sora
- sore
- sort
- sots
- souk
- soul
- soup
- sour
- sown
- sows
- soya
- spam
- span
- spar
- spas
- spat
- spay
- spaz
- spec
- sped
- spew
- spin
- spit
- spot
- spry
- spud
- spun
- spur
- stab
- stag
- star
- stat
- stay
- stem
- step
- stew
- stir
- stop
- stow
- stub
- stud
- stun
- stye
- subs
- such
- suck
- sued
- sues
- suet
- suit
- sulk
- sumo
- sump
- sums
- sung
- sunk
- suns
- sups
- sura
- sure
- surf
- suss
- swab
- swag
- swam
- swan
- swap
- swat
- sway
- swig
- swim
- swum
- sync
4 Letter Words – T
- tabs
- tabu
- tach
- tack
- taco
- tact
- tags
- tail
- take
- talc
- tale
- talk
- tall
- tame
- tamp
- tang
- tank
- tans
- tapa
- tape
- taps
- tare
- tarn
- taro
- tarp
- tars
- tart
- task
- taut
- taxa
- taxi
- teak
- teal
- team
- tear
- teas
- teat
- tech
- teem
- teen
- tees
- teff
- tele
- tell
- temp
- tend
- tent
- term
- tern
- test
- text
- than
- that
- thaw
- thee
- them
- then
- thew
- they
- thin
- this
- thou
- thro
- thru
- thud
- thug
- thus
- tian
- tick
- tics
- tide
- tidy
- tied
- tier
- ties
- tiff
- tiki
- tile
- till
- tilt
- time
- tine
- ting
- tins
- tint
- tiny
- tipi
- tips
- tire
- toad
- toby
- toed
- toes
- toff
- tofu
- toga
- toil
- toke
- told
- tole
- toll
- tomb
- tome
- tone
- tong
- tony
- took
- tool
- toon
- toot
- topi
- topo
- tops
- torc
- tore
- torn
- torr
- tort
- tory
- toss
- tote
- tots
- tour
- tout
- town
- tows
- toys
- tram
- trap
- tray
- tree
- trek
- trey
- trig
- trim
- trio
- trip
- trod
- trot
- tsar
- tuba
- tube
- tubs
- tuck
- tufa
- tuff
- tuft
- tugs
- tule
- tums
- tuna
- tune
- turd
- turf
- turk
- turn
- tush
- tusk
- tuts
- tutu
- twee
- twig
- twin
- twit
- twos
- tyke
- type
- typo
- tyre
- tyro
4 Letter Words – U
- udon
- ugly
- ulna
- umma
- umps
- undo
- unit
- unto
- updo
- upon
- urea
- urge
- uric
- urns
- used
- user
- uses
4 Letter Words – V
- vacs
- vail
- vain
- vale
- vamp
- vane
- vans
- vary
- vasa
- vase
- vast
- vats
- veal
- veep
- veer
- vees
- veil
- vein
- veld
- vena
- vend
- vent
- verb
- vert
- very
- vest
- veto
- vets
- vial
- vibe
- vice
- vids
- vied
- vies
- view
- vile
- vill
- vims
- vine
- vino
- viol
- visa
- vise
- vita
- viva
- void
- vole
- volt
- vote
- vows
4 Letter Words – W
- wack
- wade
- wadi
- wads
- waft
- wage
- wags
- waif
- wail
- wait
- wake
- wale
- wali
- walk
- wall
- wand
- wane
- wans
- want
- ward
- ware
- warm
- warn
- warp
- wars
- wart
- wary
- wash
- wasp
- wast
- watt
- wave
- wavy
- waxy
- ways
- weak
- weal
- wean
- wear
- webs
- weds
- weed
- week
- weel
- ween
- weep
- wees
- weft
- well
- went
- were
- west
- what
- when
- whom
- wide
- wife
- wild
- will
- wind
- wine
- wing
- wins
- wipe
- wire
- wise
- wish
- with
- woke
- wolf
- wood
- wool
- word
- wore
- work
- worm
- worn
- wrap
4 Letter Words – Y, Z
- yard
- yarn
- yeah
- year
- yoga
- your
- zero
- zinc
- zone
- zoom
Learn more with 5 letter words in English.
4 Letter Words Infographic
Related Resources
2 Letter Words
3 Letter Words
4 Letter Words
5 Letter Words
6 Letter Words
7 Letter Words
8 Letter Words
If you’re a fan of word games like Scrabble or Words with Friends where you have to unscramble letters to make words, you’ll want to seek out a word finder that lists words by length, such as by 4 letter words, for fitting words into limited spaces.
The WordFinderX Guide to 4-Letter Words
Although a dictionary can provide you with this information, it’s easier to look for a premade list that caters to players of these games when broadening your vocabulary.
The Most Common Four-Letter Words
Four letter words are commonly used when playing these games as they’re readily used in the English language. While these common words may not produce the highest scores, they’re great for getting rid of difficult or excessive letters in your rack.
They — They is a common multipurpose pronoun used to talk about many people or objects.
From — People typically like to talk about where they originally come from.
That — From this to that, this word is so popular you may hear it so frequently that you don’t even notice.
With — When you’re with someone else or completing a project with a certain tool, it would be hard to say it without this word.
Some — When you don’t want all or none of something, the word some comes in handy.
What — What would you do without the word what?
Were — This past tense verb is a great way to find out what they were doing or where they were going.
Word — Considering you’re likely looking for a word to play for a word game, it’s only natural to think of this word.
Said — Words can’t be unspoken once they’ve been said.
Good — It’s always good to have a word where you can use up some extra vowels.
The phrase four-letter word refers to a set of English-language words written with four letters which are considered profane, including common popular or slang terms for excretory functions, sexual activity and genitalia, terms relating to Hell or damnation when used outside of religious contexts or slurs.
What is a four letter word ending in W?
adaw, alew, alow, anew, anow, arew, arow, avow, blaw, blew, blow, braw, brew, brow, chaw, chew, chow, claw, clew, clow, craw, crew, crow, deaw, dhow, draw, drew, drow, enew, enow, flaw, flew, flow, frow, glow, gnaw, gnow, grew, grow, knew, know, meow, phew, plew, plow, prow, scaw, scow, shaw, shew, show, skaw, skew,
How many 4 letter countries are there?
Today, the world has 195 countries, and of this total, 11 have English names that consist of four letters. Some of the nations with four letter names include Peru, Iraq, and Cuba.
What are all the Colours in the world?
But human language categorizes these into a small set of words. In an industrialized culture, most people get by with 11 color words: black, white, red, green, yellow, blue, brown, orange, pink, purple and gray.
What is a 35 letter word?
This word is an adjective that can describe e.g. a chemical formula. As a noun it’s without the last 4 letters. Another one is превысокомногорассмотрительствующий (prevysokomnogorassmotritel’stvuyushchiy), which contains 35 letters.
What 4 letter word begins with F and ends with K?
FOLK“FOLK” is that 4 letter word that starts with F and ends with K.
How many 6 letter words are there?
There are 87151 6-letter words in the English language, according to 6-letter words .