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xxx

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XXX¹

  • /ˌʔɛks.ʔɛksˈʔɛks/ UK
  • /ˈtɹɪpəlˈʔɛks/ UK
  • /ɛ.ksɛ.ksɛks/ US
  • /ˈtɹɪpəlˈɛks/ US

Where it comes from

1969 (see quotations). Reduplication of X (“an age rating denoting content suitable for adults”), in reference to the X rating introduced by the Motion Picture Association of America on 1 November 1968 for films containing extreme violence, heavily implied (originally softcore) sex and obscene language. Film posters began to include multiple exes (but skipping two) in order to imply even more extreme, hardcore content, particularly in relation to pornography (although many actually contained the same content as X-rated films). Compare XXXX. The original X rating was superseded by NC-17 in 1990; see also R-18.

symbol

  1. Denotes extreme or hardcore pornography. [bottom right] XXX SO ADULT ONE 'X' ISN'T ENOUGH!

adjective more XXX · most XXX

  1. Extreme or hardcore pornography; or, less strictly, any pornographic content. Pornography—or "porno," to use the hip term—is intended primarily to sexually arouse the viewer, or reader, or maybe listener. Porno films enjoy graphic realism. These are the XXX films.

    Similar: pornographic, 18+, adult, dirty, NSFW, vulgar, X-rated

XXX²

  • /ˌʔɛks.ʔɛksˈʔɛks/ UK
  • /ˈtɹɪpəlˈʔɛks/ UK
  • /ɛ.ksɛ.ksɛks/ US
  • /ˈtɹɪpəlˈɛks/ US

Where it comes from

Unknown. Possibly from X, a graphic derivative of the skull and crossbones (“indicator of death”). For other possible explanations, see Beer measurement § Saltire marks on WikipediaWikipedia .

symbol XXX.

  1. obsolete Extra strong alcohol, particularly ale or (later) any beer. "God bless you, madam!" he said, fervently, "and all like you that keep a bright face through the darkest day. But come, madam, step in a moment, and taste a glass of the XXX ale, and a slice of l'eg's cake; it's yet early."
  2. obsolete Alcohol.

adjective more XXX · most XXX

  1. Extra strong; very high quality.

XXX³

  • /ˌʔɛks.ʔɛksˈʔɛks/ UK
  • /ˈtɹɪpəlˈʔɛks/ UK
  • /ɛ.ksɛ.ksɛks/ US
  • /ˈtɹɪpəlˈɛks/ US

Where it comes from

Unknown, but compare ex (“to delete; to cross out”, verb).

verb XXXes · XXXing · XXXed

  1. transitive, uncommon To delete; to cross out, especially to conceal or suggest vulgar language.

XXX⁴

  • /ˌʔɛks.ʔɛksˈʔɛks/ UK
  • /ˈtɹɪpəlˈʔɛks/ UK
  • /ɛ.ksɛ.ksɛks/ US
  • /ˈtɹɪpəlˈɛks/ US

Where it comes from

Perhaps from sXe.

symbol

  1. Straight edge (lifestyle and subculture).

XXX⁵

  • /ˌʔɛks.ʔɛksˈʔɛks/ UK
  • /ˈtɹɪpəlˈʔɛks/ UK
  • /ɛ.ksɛ.ksɛks/ US
  • /ˈtɹɪpəlˈɛks/ US

Where it comes from

From having three X chromosomes (and no Y), or as a clipping of XXX syndrome.

noun

  1. rare, uncountable Triple X syndrome.

    Similar: 47, XXX, triple X syndrome, trisomy X, XXX syndrome

XXX⁶

  • /ˌʔɛks.ʔɛksˈʔɛks/ UK
  • /ˈtɹɪpəlˈʔɛks/ UK
  • /ɛ.ksɛ.ksɛks/ US
  • /ˈtɹɪpəlˈɛks/ US

noun XXXs

  1. alternative, rare Alternative form of xxx (“an abbreviation for kisses”).

XXX⁷

  • /ˌʔɛks.ʔɛksˈʔɛks/ UK
  • /ˈtɹɪpəlˈʔɛks/ UK
  • /ɛ.ksɛ.ksɛks/ US
  • /ˈtɹɪpəlˈɛks/ US

Where it comes from

Adopted by the International Radiotelegraph Convention in 1927.

noun XXXs

  1. obsolete The conventional Morse code call made when in an urgent situation but not in immediate distress.

XXX⁸

  • /ˌʔɛks.ʔɛksˈʔɛks/ UK
  • /ˈtɹɪpəlˈʔɛks/ UK
  • /ɛ.ksɛ.ksɛks/ US
  • /ˈtɹɪpəlˈɛks/ US

adjective

  1. not comparable Unknown eye or hair color.
  2. not comparable Bald.

    Similar: BAL

xxx⁹

noun

  1. uncountable An abbreviation for kisses, usually placed at the end of a letter or text message, often alongside ooo (hugs). [written on a letter] Dear Chip — See you tonight. Love xxxx Clarice

Thesaurus

Closest in meaning: cardinal, thirty, xxxx, abc, canto, triple, interpol, thirtieth, suzuki, xx, xxix, xxvi, xxvii, xxviii, xxxi, ultrastrong

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Cite this
MLA

"xxx." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/xxx. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

xxx. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/xxx

Chicago

"xxx." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/xxx.

BibTeX
@misc{xxx_2026,
  title = {xxx},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/xxx},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}