When and How to Use the F-Word + Origins and Examples

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Learn how the f*** to use the f-word

Co-authored by Carmine Shannon

Last Updated: August 6, 2024 Fact Checked

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When is the f-word appropriate?

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Different Meanings & Uses of the F-Word

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Best Ways to Use F*** in Conversations

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Origins of the F-Word

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Q&A

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Warnings

The f-word is the swear word of American English—you can use it as almost any part of speech to mean a whole range of things. However, whether it’s appropriate or not depends heavily on context. In formal situations, it’s generally frowned upon to curse, and it’s almost never appropriate to use its actual definition, which is to have sex. If any of this sounds confusing, don’t worry! We’ll go over all the common variations of this word, plus give helpful tips on when it’s okay to use.

Different Ways to Use the F-Word

Add “f***ing” to adjectives to make them more extreme, like “f***ing awesome.” Add -ed to the end to say something’s bad, like “f***ed up” or “That’s f***ed.” Add it to questions to emphasize your confusion: “Why the f*** would he do that?”

Section 1 of 4:

When is the f-word appropriate?

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F*** is only appropriate for adults to use in informal settings. Whenever professionalism is expected, steer clear of the f-word (and other swear words). If you’re in a casual setting, like a bar or locker room, or with someone else who regularly uses the f-word, there’s a better chance that it’s okay. However, you should never use the f-word to curse at someone.
- Although there are no hard lines or consensus on a certain age, generally, it’s inappropriate for children (under 13) to ever use the f-word. Using the f-word might still get you in serious trouble if you’re under 18 (especially in schools or official gatherings).
- Whether or not the f-word is offensive is context-dependent. If you’re using it to give your ideas more emphasis or to lighten the mood, it’s significantly less offensive than if you’re using it to describe a person or yell at someone.

Section 2 of 4:

Different Meanings & Uses of the F-Word

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F***ing To use the f-word as an adjective, say “f***ing.” The meaning intended might be positive or negative depending on the context, body language, and face expressions (if applicable). Examples: "What a F-ing party!"/"XYZ is doing all the F-ing work!"
- It can also be used to add emphasis, like the word "very":
  - That party was f***ing amazing.
  - I can’t f***ing believe it!
  - You are so f***ing good to me, I love you, bro.
- If you don’t think you’re in a situation where you can swear, you can also substitute it with “freaking.”
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F***ed This usage describes a bad situation. If you’re using it to talk about yourself (“I’m f***ed), it means you’re in trouble. If you’re talking about a thing, then it means it’s messed up.^{[1]
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- I didn’t know our reports were due today. I’m so f***ed!
- They fired you for wearing that silly tie again? That’s f***ed.
- Yeah, the contractor just called me back. They said my ceiling is totally f***ed.
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F*** that This means that you don’t like something or don’t want to do something. You can also say f*** [whatever you don’t like].^{[2]
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- F*** work. I’m going swimming.
- F*** that, man. That’s f***ed up.
- 5-hour wait times? F*** that, let's do something else.
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F*** this People say “f*** this” right before they’re about to give up or when they don’t want to do something anymore.^{[3]
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- F*** this, let’s just call a mechanic.
- F*** this, I quit.
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Give a f*** If you give a f***, that means you care about something. If you don’t give a f***, then you don’t care.^{[4]
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- Sometimes it feels like you don’t give a f*** about me.
- I’m mad because I give a f*** about the world. We have to do something.
- It doesn’t matter. I don’t give a f*** anymore.
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What/who/why the f***? Using the f-word this way means you’re confused (and often angry) about something. When you see something that you can’t understand or explain, you might say, “What the f***???”^{[5]
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- Who the f*** brought their dog to the party?
- You dropped my TV? Why the f*** were you picking it up?
- What the f***, man? What are you doing?
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F*** all If you have f*** all, then you have nothing—that’s that.^{[6]
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- She left me with f*** all.
- Go fish, dude. I have f*** all.
- They think we have f*** all for brains, that’s why we have to keep getting out there and showing them what we’re made of.
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F*** off This usage has two meanings: either you’re wasting time, or you’re (rudely) telling someone to go away.^{[7]
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Research source} You can use f*** off in a joking way to your friends without being mean-spirited, but be careful if you decide to say this phrase.
- You’re on vacation? Let’s go f*** off somewhere nice.
- F*** off dude, I’m having a bad day.
- F*** off, I am not into Mrs. Robinson.
- If you’re wasting time, you can also say that you’re “f***ing around.”
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F*** it F*** it means: “All right, I’m going to do it anyway.” People say it right before doing something that they’re afraid of or really think they shouldn’t do.^{[8]
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- Skydiving? F*** it, I’ll get over my fear of heights on the ride up.
- F*** it man, let’s just move in together…start a family somewhere!
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F***(ed) up When you “f*** up,” it means that you’ve made a mistake. Being “f***ed up” means that you’re very hurt or intoxicated. If something is “f***ed up” it’s shocking or horrible.^{[9]
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- I know I f***ed up, could you ever forgive me?
- That car accident left me f***ed up. I was on crutches for a year.
- And then they fed chicken salad to the chickens? That’s f***ed up…
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F*** yes/no Adding the f-word to “yes” or “no” makes it more extreme. You’re either totally on board with something or totally against it.^{[10]
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- Did you hear that the city is finally going to fix our sidewalk?
  F*** yes, dude!
- Do you want to go out tonight?
  F*** no, everyone’s sick right now.
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Holy f*** Holy f*** is sort of like OMG. It means you’re amazed or afraid—as if you saw something you didn’t think was possible.^{[11]
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- Holy f***…aliens are real.
- Holy f***! You scared the blue blazes out of me.
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F*** with If you f*** with something, that means you really like it. If someone’s f***ing with you, that means they’re tricking or bothering you.
- What’s the name of this song? I really f*** with it.
- You got us Troy Sivan tickets? You better not be f***ing with me right now.
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As f*** As f***, often shortened to “AF,” means extremely. It’s usually used to emphasize an adjective, similarly to "f***ing."
- This party is fun as f***.
- That pie was good AF. What did you put in it?
- I don’t feel like going out. I’m sad as f*** right now.
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F*** The f-word by itself is an interjection that can be used just about anywhere. Usually, it’s used to express some negative feeling or frustration.
- F***, I forgot.
- F*********** this traffic is so sloooooow.
- Oh f***! You scared me.
- F***! My phone just died.
- F***, that is so sad.
- F***, I love my job.

Section 3 of 4:

Best Ways to Use F*** in Conversations

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If the conversation is too serious and you want to drive it back to a more relaxed one, you can use expressions containing the f-word sparsely. For example: "Man, that's f***ing deep!"
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Express feelings of excitement or ecstasy. Some people insert the f-word within certain expressive words to add humorous improvisation. ^{[12]
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- Fan-f***ing-tastic! (Fantastic)
- Abso-f***ing-lutely! (Absolutely)
- In-f***ing-credible! (Incredible)
- A-f***ing-tonishing! (Astonishing)
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Express disapproval. You can use the f-word to show approval indirectly by adding it to something sarcastic.
- I f***ing love it when people accuse me of things like this.
- What? It’s going to rain during the party? Well isn’t that just f***ing perfect.
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Use it as an adjective to describe strong approval. In some social situations, this might be accepted or even welcome. However, this usually needs to be accompanied by facial expressions so as not to be misunderstood for the previous usage.
- Are you joking? I f***ing love soup!

Section 4 of 4:

Origins of the F-Word

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The f-word may have originally meant “to strike”. The origins of the f-word are murky at best—it may come from French, English, German, or Latin, and it could’ve meant to strike, move back and forth, or the nouns soldier or fist.^{[13]
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- While the f-word now has a sexual connotation, it may have come from alternative spellings of other words, such as “fulcher”—an Old English word for soldier.
Dr. Paul Boothe of Keele University found the surname “F***ebythenavele” in a 1310 court document. It’s assumed that this was a nickname making fun of the man for not knowing how to have sex or that he was generally not very smart.^{[14]
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Community Q&A

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Question

Can I use the F-word if I'm 16?

Community Answer

That depends on where you are from and what your family is like, but it's pretty common for a 16-year-old to use it. Just avoid using it in school or around your parents.

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My friend got detention in school for saying the f word. How can I save him?

Community Answer

You can't. It's your friend's problem and fault for saying the f-word, and he will have to deal with the consequences of his actions.

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I read that the f-word is an acronym. How could I use this meaning of it in a sentence?

Community Answer

This is actually a myth. The word originated from an old Germanic word meaning "to move back and forth".

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Warnings

The f-word can be ambiguous and is easily mistaken for its most offensive usage. Use it with caution.

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The f-word, despite having proclaimed international status, continues to remain a taboo to many people in many English-speaking countries. Try avoiding the vulgar usage of the word in English.

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Do not use it in context to religion as it will most likely be interpreted as offensive to any follower of the religion in question.

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