noun
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the state or quality of being indecent
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an indecent act, etc
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of indecency
From the Latin word indecentia, dating back to 1580–90. See indecent, -ency
Explanation
Indecency is the habit or action of being offensive or improper. Indecency is banned on television during times that children might be watching. If you tell dirty jokes or deeply offend a friend, you could be accused of indecency. Swearing on a radio broadcast or showing an extremely violent scene in a movie meant for kids are both examples of indecency that are punishable by law. Indecency comes from the Latin word indecentem, "not decent" or "in bad taste," from the roots in-, "not," and decentem, "fitting or proper."
Vocabulary lists containing indecency
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.
Two counts of gross indecency were withdrawn from the jury on a point of law during the course of the trial.
From BBC • Jan. 23, 2026
Arregui is a principled revolutionary dedicated to his cause, while Molina is a gay, flamboyant window dresser who’s been arrested for public indecency.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 23, 2025
Nor did he accept the fact that Spectrum’s planned “PG-13” performance falls far short of indecency.
From Slate • Sep. 22, 2023
To quote “Now & Then” column founder Paul Dorpat, “In the moment it might take an exhausted barrister to mouth a monosyllabic indecency, the old embarrassment was leveled.”
From Seattle Times • May 11, 2023
Revelation slips into the old prophetic indecency; Rev. ii.
From Is the Bible Indictable? Being an Enquiry whether the Bible Comes within the Ruling of the Lord Chief Justice as to Obscene Literature by Besant, Annie
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.
