vulgarity

[ vuhl-gar-i-tee ]

noun

, plural vul·gar·i·ties.

1. the state or quality of being vulgar:

   the vulgarity of his remark.

   Synonyms: grossness, crudeness, tastelessness, indelicacy

2. something vulgar, as an act or expression.

vulgarity

/ vʌlˈɡærɪtɪ /

noun

1. the condition of being vulgar; lack of good manners
2. a vulgar action, phrase, etc

Other Words From

• nonvul·gari·ty noun plural nonvulgarities

Word History and Origins

Origin of vulgarity¹

First recorded in 1570–80, vulgarity is from the Late Latin word vulgāritās commonness, the public. See vulgar, -ity

Example Sentences

“FFV,” First Families of Virginia, is a lineage society whose members would likely disapprove of such vulgarity.

From Washington Blade

The editors who denounced Benglis in 1974 called the magazine image “an object of extreme vulgarity.”

From Washington Post

I can see vulgarity and ugliness anywhere I want to look, and I can see it for free.

From The Daily Beast

Explicitness and vulgarity are both different subsets of honesty, both very necessary.

From The Daily Beast

Sometimes I wonder if I actually believe in vulgarity, as a concept.

From The Daily Beast

Where do you see the line between explicitness and vulgarity?

From The Daily Beast

Wilde deplored American commercialism and vulgarity, but he admired American simplicity and decency.

From The Daily Beast

Smoking now is as common as eating and drinking, and to smoke amongst ladies is a vulgarity.

From Project Gutenberg

There is no surer mark of vulgarity than over dressing or gay dressing in the street.

From Project Gutenberg

So that the Provençal language, in spite of everything, keeps a certain patois vulgarity.

From Project Gutenberg

It is said that the late Ward McAllister shrank with peculiar distaste from the vulgarity of divorce.

From Project Gutenberg

Vulgarity, mother says, is pretending to be what you are not.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• obscenity
• profanity