i Register
In some senses, a-word is marked as euphemistic. Watch for register when choosing this word.
a-word
noun 3
Collocations
3VERB + A-WORD
call, give, say
A-WORD + NOUN
alleluia
PREP.
during, in, since, up, with
Definitions
noun
1
A bad word that starts with the letter a, such as ass/arse or asshole/arsehole.
2
The word alleluia, typically in the context of Lent since the Lenten liturgies of various Christian churches omit the alleluia.
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.
3
Any word beginning with a that is not normally taboo but is considered (often humorously) to be so in the given context.
Specialists sometimes choose PDD-NOS instead of an autism diagnosis because they are afraid that the “a-word” frightens patients.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
301
It was Lent; “alleluia” is not sung in the Catholic church during Lent. I told her Babloo liked songs with the “A-word.”
Wiktionary02
My congregation is frustrated because we can’t sing carols during Advent, and now we can’t say the A-word [Alleluia] during Lent.
Wiktionary03
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!).
WiktionaryUsage Notes
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