vulgarity
Americannoun
-
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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
See Examples For:
It’s one of the oldest conceits ever, thinking that vulgarity makes you look tough.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 23, 2026
With Jude, of course, vulgarity is often the point, and maybe, as two hours becomes three, the excessiveness is part of the point too.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 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
This is also a woman who chided her granddaughter that “vulgarity is no substitute for wit,” while proudly and without apology wielding her class-conscious vulgarity over her family and the servants.
From Salon ● Oct. 1, 2024
“You don’t have to sink into vulgarity, darling,” Lillian interrupted.
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
Mr. Trump’s vulgarities do cause distress among Republicans.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 23, 2026
Before his rightward turn, Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman was applauded by progressives for his working-class-coded vulgarities and his penchant for hoodies and basketball shorts.
From Slate ● Dec. 10, 2025
In her recent New York Times article about the "coarsening" of the religious right, Ruth Graham alluded to this, writing about the trend of evangelical leaders using "vulgarities."
From Salon ● Apr. 1, 2024
It is heartening, however, to see people of all races protesting the racist vulgarities.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2022
The girl’s vulgarities reminded Cora of the plantation and the stream of oaths delivered by the hands when master’s eye was not on them.
From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead
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.
