Meaning of r-word | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Alternative letter-case form of r-word.
   alt-of
2. The word retard or retarded, regarded as a vulgar or taboo word.
   euphemistic
3. The word rape, regarded as a vulgar or taboo word.
   euphemistic
4. The word redskin or redskins (including Redskins as a team name) regarded as a vulgar or taboo word.
   euphemistic
5. Any word beginning with r that is considered (often humorously) to be taboo in the given context.
   humorous

Examples

“I recently spoke supporting a new name⟳ for the President's Committee on Mental Retardation. I suggested it be changed to "President's Committee for People with Developmental Disabilities."”

“The Tropic Thunder premiere presented a particularly strong opportunity for advocacy groups to make⟳ further progress⟳ on this front, because the R-word has played a major role in advance viral marketing for the prospective big-budget blockbuster.[…]”

“The latest battle over the R-word kicked into high gear with a Jan. 26 Wall Street Journal report⟳ that last⟳ summer White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel blasted liberal activists unhappy with the pace of health-care reform⟳, deriding their strategies as "[expletive] retarded."”

“When people continue⟳ to use⟳ the 'R' word, it's hurtful," Seckler added.”

“Throughout 2025, influential public figures like⟳ Rogan, Musk and Kanye West have⟳ used the r-word on platforms where millions can see⟳ and hear⟳ them.”

“"Updike can use⟳ the `R' word" (rape, he meant) "to describe⟳ the love-making (sic) of the two Brazilians and get⟳ away with it."”

“As the viewer of any after-school special can tell⟳ you, women shy away from the R word because they blame⟳ themselves.”

“You don't ask⟳ a victim 'How's it going?' and you don't use⟳ the R word with them.”

“Of late though, the R-word has acquired a dark new meaning with guys leaping out of bushes onto hapless maidens.”

“For years, Native American Indian groups and a wide variety of knee-jerk liberal sympathizers, including me, your humble scrivener, have⟳ pointed fingers of shame, shame, shame at the R-word team.”

““The r-word is no more acceptable to American Indians than the n-word is to blacks,” one woman stated succinctly in a recent Post⟳ letter to the editor […]”

“It's better than the R word, huh? Redskin? Better than prairie nigger. That's a real beaut. It's even better than Native American.”

“Neither Mayor David N. Dinkins nor Mr. Cuomo, though, has been reluctant to invoke the symbolism of another R-word: Republican.”

“In the second year of a three-year contract, Boggs will be 36 on June 15, but he's not ready to consider⟳ the R word—retirement.”

“Winter came early that year, and the animals began hearing a lot of "R" words they couldn't pronounce. Words like⟳ "recession," "redundancy" and "rationalization."”

“For investors, there are few things as scary as the “R” word. That’s because, historically, recessions have⟳ often wreaked havoc on stock⟳ portfolios.”

“But never say⟳ never, friends make⟳ sure to add⟳, knowing that Favre has tossed around the R-word frequently the last⟳ three seasons.”

“When he spoke last⟳ year at the convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Gov. David A. Paterson complained about being a victim of racism. He didn't actually use⟳ the r-word.”

“The R word no doubt⟳ still sounds profane to Roger Federer, but I think⟳ I am speaking for most fans of the sport when I say⟳: whenever the time does come⟳ for him to exit the stage⟳, some serious advance notice⟳ would be appreciated.”

“For his part, Mr. de Blasio will probably just keep⟳ using the R-word. ¶ “He seems to think⟳ the Republican brand is so damaged here in New York City that repeating that over and over is enough to prevent⟳ Lhota from picking up support⟳,” Mr. Paulson said.”

CEFR level