fucking

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "fucking" is considered to be a profanity and is not considered correct or appropriate to use in most written English.
It is generally accepted to use the word in a very limited manner in speech, but usually not in writing. For example, you could say, "It was fucking hot outside today." However, you would not write something like, "It was fucking hot outside today" in an essay or other formal writing.

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Move your America hating ass to Iraq, let ISIS rape you then cut your cunt head off, fucking media whore muslim," wrote a rather unassuming-looking mom named Donna.

The Guardian - Opinion

A sociology professor exclaimed: "I've been sitting in these meetings for fucking decades!

The Guardian

I don't want to jinx it, but … Oh, you're fucking joking.

The Guardian - Sport

When Front first heard Capaldi had been cast in Doctor Who, she said last year she "sent him a really sweary text saying: 'This is not fucking true?

The Guardian

Was she disruptive like Conrad Hilton, brother of Paris, who recently locked himself in the loo to smoke marijuana and then went round screaming "I will fucking own anyone on this flight, they are fucking peasants".

The Guardian - Opinion

"[Kanye] tried to fucking rip me off and claim that he'd written it, and they tried to get away with not paying," Aphex Twin's Richard D James claimed in a new interview with Pitchfork.

The Guardian - Music

Meanwhile, Noel Gallagher has described Labour as a "fucking waste of time".

The Guardian

But what energises her isn't the past so much as "what's really chapping my ass now" – Miley Cyrus ("Is that all you got? Why not go really fucking scary?"); the lack of rock'n'roll at festivals ("Kanye West?

The Guardian - Music

"I don't fucking care if you like it".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

At a certain point, you're like, 'Really, I'm going to go out there in fucking tights again?' He also denied reports that he had been offered the chance by NBC to host the long-running public affairs program Meet the Press, insisting that NBC had just been "exploring" the idea.

The Guardian

It's not the politics of 'I'm going to fucking kill you'.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience and the context before using "fucking". It is often considered vulgar and inappropriate in formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "fucking" excessively, as it can weaken your writing and make you sound less articulate. Vary your vocabulary to express emphasis and emotion more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fucking" is as an intensifier or adjective, adding emphasis or expressing strong emotion. It can modify nouns, verbs, or adjectives. Ludwig examples illustrate it modifying various parts of speech across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "fucking" is a versatile term functioning primarily as an intensifier or adjective. Ludwig AI indicates that it's commonly used in News & Media contexts to add emphasis or express strong emotion. Although very common, its usage is generally considered inappropriate in formal settings and may be deemed offensive by some audiences. Alternatives such as "extremely", "incredibly", or "damn" can provide similar emphasis without the risk of causing offense. Therefore, while "fucking" is frequently used, writers should exercise caution and consider their audience and context before including "fucking" in their writing.

Alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Damn

A slightly less offensive intensifier with similar usage, suitable for informal settings.

Bloody

British English intensifier, similar in strength to "damn", but may not be understood by all audiences.

Extremely

A general intensifier, suitable for replacing "fucking" in contexts where strong emphasis is needed without being offensive.

Incredibly

Similar to "extremely" but with a slightly more positive connotation, depending on the context.

Intensely

Focuses on the high degree or strength of a feeling or quality.

Utterly

Emphasizes completeness or totality, conveying a strong degree.

More alternative expressions

fucking

bollocks

sq mi

es

fuck

kissing

shall

from

shtupping

sodding

can

motherfucker

me

fucked

crappy

joking

vagina

screwing

screw

shitting

FAQs

How can I use "fucking" in a sentence?

The word "fucking" can be used as an intensifier before adjectives (e.g., "fucking hot"), as an adverb to emphasize a verb, or, less commonly, as a noun. However, consider the context and audience as it is generally considered offensive.

What can I say instead of "fucking"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "extremely", "incredibly", "very", "damn" or "bloody" to convey a similar level of emphasis without being offensive.

When is it appropriate to use "fucking"?

It is generally appropriate to use "fucking" only in informal settings among close friends or when quoting someone directly. Avoid using it in professional, academic, or formal contexts.

Is "fucking" always considered offensive?

While the word "fucking" is inherently considered a profanity, its level of offensiveness can vary depending on cultural context, tone, and intent. Some people may find it humorous or acceptable in certain situations, while others may always find it offensive.