Context is everything. Among friends, “you absolute wanker” can be a compliment.

The 10 most-used swear words in United Kingdom, ranked from nuclear to Grandma-safe. Tap “Hear it” to hear each one, or tap a red bar to reveal a word.

1. 1
   cunt KUNTThe strongest word in British English.
   Nuclear ▶ Hear it
2. 2
   twat TWATIdiot (and a body part).
   Very rude ▶ Hear it
3. 3
   wanker WANG-kerSelf-pleasurer; a contemptible man.
   Rude ▶ Hear it
4. 4
   bollocks BOL-ucksTesticles; nonsense; “oh no.”
   Mild ▶ Hear it
5. 5
   tosser TOSS-erA softer wanker.
   Mild ▶ Hear it
7. 6
   bugger BUG-uhDamn. “Bugger off” means go away.
   Mild ▶ Hear it
8. 7
   sod off sod OFFGo away, politely rude.
   Mild ▶ Hear it
9. 8
   bloody BLUD-eeIntensifier. “Bloody hell.”
   Grandma-safe ▶ Hear it
10. 9
    arse ARSSBackside; “can’t be arsed” = can’t be bothered.
    Grandma-safe ▶ Hear it
11. 10
    git GITAn annoying, foolish person.
    Grandma-safe ▶ Hear it