Definition of «hard r»

"Hard R" is an internet euphemism for the version of a highly offensive racial slur pronounced with a final r sound. It lets people refer to the slur without reproducing it, while still making clear that the reported language was explicitly racist rather than merely vaguely insulting. The phrase is common in discussions of online harassment, gaming voice chat, and moderation, where users may need to describe abusive speech without typing the slur itself. Its tone is serious and cautionary, although casual speakers sometimes use it in compressed retellings of an upsetting incident.