obscene
Americanadjective
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offensive to morality or decency; indecent; depraved.
obscene language.
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causing uncontrolled sexual desire.
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abominable; disgusting; repulsive.
adjective
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offensive or outrageous to accepted standards of decency or modesty
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law (of publications) having a tendency to deprave or corrupt
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disgusting; repellent
an obscene massacre
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of obscene
First recorded in 1585–95, obscene is from the Latin word obscēnus, obscaenus
Explanation
Obscene describes something that is morally offensive in a sexual way. It's never a good idea to use obscene language at school. Certain films, books, magazines, and other forms of entertainment are considered obscene because they portray sex in a very frank way that some people find vulgar and lewd. Obscene material, language, and jokes are considered taboo in polite society. Obscene can also be used to describe something repulsive — like when your friend ate an obscene number of snails at the Bastille Day bash.
Vocabulary lists containing obscene
Speak
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Prince (1958-2016) Tribute List
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Aggarwal, of Dickens Rise in Chigwell, Essex, pleaded not guilty to sending a public communication that was offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing and will stand trial in March.
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026
"People are tired of being treated without dignity, without respect. And these companies are making an obscene amount of money," he said at a press conference Wednesday, before breaking down in tears.
From Barron's ● Sep. 9, 2026
Ultimately, books were removed “not because they contain sexually obscene material, but because they contain content protected by law,” Graves said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
“It’s absolutely obscene for somebody to think that they would spend that entire amount, that one budget, on one person,” she said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
He had called it obscene and depraved in assembly; what would he say to the town?
From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
