obscenity

[uhb-sen-i-tee, -see-ni-]

noun

plural

obscenities 

1. the character or quality of being obscene; indecency; lewdness.

2. something obscene, as a picture or story.

3. an obscene word or expression, especially when used as an invective.

   Synonyms: swear word, profanity, oath, cussword, cuss, curse word, curse

obscenity

/ əbˈsɛnɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being obscene

2. an obscene act, statement, word, etc

obscenity

1. Behavior, appearance, or expression (such as films and books) that violate accepted standards of sexual morality. American courts have long tried to define obscenity but without much success. Some believe, for example, that any depiction of nudity is obscene; others would argue that nudity in itself is not obscene. (See four-letter words (see also four-letter words) and pornography.)

Other Word Forms

• antiobscenity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of obscenity¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from French obscenité, from Latin obscēnitās, equivalent to obscēn(us) obscene + -itās -ity

Example Sentences

They were all acquitted later that year in a case that established that topless bars like the Condor Club did not violate California’s obscenity laws.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Mr Sandhu's address to the jury was then interrupted by an outburst from Mr Hussein who repeatedly shouted an obscenity denying it.

Read more on BBC

It sets rules for disclosing sponsors, emergency broadcasts, and content regarding obscenity and decency.

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"An obscenity which makes unionist buy-in impossible," he said in a statement.

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She admitted shouting an obscenity at Ms Ellis while telling her to "get out of my face".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• four-letter word 
• indecency 
• pornography 
• profanity 
• smut 
• vulgarity