noun
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the state or quality of being indecent
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an indecent act, etc
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.
The PTC’s power came, in large part, from its ability to flood the FCC with indecency complaints.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 10, 2025
In the 1960s, homosexuality was partially decriminalised, but related criminal offences were still illegal, including gross indecency.
From BBC • Feb. 22, 2024
Nor did he accept the fact that Spectrum’s planned “PG-13” performance falls far short of indecency.
From Slate • Sep. 22, 2023
But civil liberties groups thought the prohibitions on online indecency violated the First Amendment and squelched free speech.
From New York Times • Apr. 30, 2023
What chiefly obtrudes itself on our attention, is the gross personal invective, and indecency of these compositions, so foreign from anything that would be tolerated in modern times.
From History of Roman Literature from its Earliest Period to the Augustan Age. Volume I by Dunlop, John
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.
