risqué

American  

[ri-skey, rees-key] / rɪˈskeɪ, risˈkeɪ /

adjective

1. daringly close to indelicacy or impropriety; off-color.

   a risqué story.

   Synonyms:

   ribald, indecent, gross, broad

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risqué British  

/ ˈrɪskeɪ /

adjective

1. bordering on impropriety or indecency

   a risqué joke

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Etymology

Origin of risqué

1865–70; < French, past participle of risquer to risk

Explanation

Something risqué hints at sex or sexual content. risqué material isn't in your face or extreme — it's just a little naughty. When it comes to sexual material, porn features sex and hardly anything else. On the other end of the spectrum are movies, songs, and books that are simply risqué: these things just have a little sexual content. They might just mention sexual situations or sort of tease the viewer, but not show much. Things that are risqué are also called "spicy" or "racy."

Example Sentences

Islanders had to follow a dress code, and risqué challenges were off the table, said ITV America Chief Executive David George.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

The “expectant widow” line was a morbid, vaguely risqué gag, the kind of joke that has been standard fare at the Correspondents’ Dinner and roasts for decades.

From Salon • Apr. 29, 2026

She describes Chappell as a "larger-than-life, drag queen version of myself", who allows her to be rebellious and risqué.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2024

Given that improv comedy can elicit lowbrow and risqué suggestions from audiences, we asked Bristow, who is the show’s director, the extent to which puppets affected the relationship between performers and audience members.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2023

But the abbot, although generally tolerant of Mendel’s whims, had intervened: a monk coaxing mice to mate to understand heredity was a little too risqué, even for the Augustinians.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee