vulgarity
Americannoun
plural
vulgarities-
the state or quality of being vulgar.
the vulgarity of his remark.
- Synonyms:
- tastelessness, indelicacy, grossness, crudeness
-
something vulgar, as an act or expression.
noun
-
the condition of being vulgar; lack of good manners
-
a vulgar action, phrase, etc
Other Word Forms
- nonvulgarity noun
Etymology
Origin of vulgarity
First recorded in 1570–80, vulgarity is from the Late Latin word vulgāritās commonness, the public. See vulgar, -ity
Explanation
Vulgarity is the quality of being crude and lacking refinement. Many people consider swearing to be a form of vulgarity. One of the criteria used in assessing a movie's rating is how much vulgarity is involved. Shows on premium cable or streaming services can generally include more vulgarity — crass language or humor, and adult situations — than shows on network television. Vulgarity comes from the Latin word vulgaris, meaning "relating to the common people" or "low and common."
Vocabulary lists containing vulgarity
Journalism
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Mitt Romney's comments about Donald Trump
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A Clockwork Orange
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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.
The ostentatious displays of deference he demanded, and received, from heads of state and CEOs manifested an arrogance that enraged some participants and a vulgarity that revolted others.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026
The juxtaposition of popular art’s messy vulgarity with the pristine aspirations of high art is surprisingly uninvolving.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2025
"Knowing the vulgarity of the old world, today I try to avoid being listened to by the new world – so that I don't come across as detestable," he told the court.
From BBC • Mar. 26, 2025
His inauguration unfolded like a grotesque pageant, a theater of excess where power and cruelty met on a stage gilded in vulgarity.
From Salon • Jan. 31, 2025
The woman wore a fashionable wrap, high shiny boots, and tapered pants; the man lounged in a rumpled shirt and stained trousers, giving an air of almost deliberate vulgarity.
From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick
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.
