indecent

/ɪnˈdiːsnt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈdiːsnt/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)in-ˈdē-sᵊnt/ (ame, mw)

indecent — adjective

  • indecentpositive
  • more indecentcomparative
  • most indecentsuperlative

1. Describing actions, clothing, images, or language that most people find shocking

1.形容詞B2
釋義

Describing actions, clothing, images, or language that most people find shockingly unacceptable because they relate to sex or nudity.

例句

The television station was fined for broadcasting indecent images late at night.

collocation: indecent images

Wei was warned by the lifeguard for indecent behaviour at the swimming pool.

collocation: indecent behaviour

同義詞
  • obscene

    stronger; often used for material that is explicitly sexual and shocking

  • lewd

    specifically describes crude, vulgar sexual behaviour or remarks

  • vulgar

    broader; describes rude or crude language or behaviour, not necessarily sexual

反義詞
  • decent

    the direct opposite; socially acceptable and moral

文法句型

indecent + noun

be + indecent

用法筆記

Common in legal contexts such as 'indecent exposure' and 'indecent assault'. The degree of offensiveness is judged by community standards, which vary across cultures and time periods.

常見錯誤

❌The movie contained indecent violent scenes.
✅The movie contained obscene violent scenes.
💡'indecent' is strongly tied to sexual offensiveness; for extreme violence, use 'obscene' or 'graphic' instead.

2. Not fitting or proper for the social setting, especially when it shows bad timin

2.形容詞B2
釋義

Not fitting or proper for the social setting, especially when it shows bad timing or poor judgement.

例句

Hassan thought it was indecent to discuss salaries so soon after the funeral.

indecent + to-infinitive for disapproving timing

Fatima felt the company showed indecent haste in firing the employee without an explanation.

collocation: indecent haste

同義詞
  • inappropriate

    broader and less formal; covers any situation where something does not fit

  • improper

    suggests a violation of accepted rules or standards of behaviour

  • unseemly

    more formal; describes behaviour that does not look right in a social context

反義詞
  • appropriate

    correct and suitable for the situation

  • proper

    socially correct and following accepted standards

文法句型

indecent + to-infinitive

indecent + noun

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1, this sense carries no sexual meaning. Often used with abstract nouns such as 'haste', 'speed', or 'rush'. Common in the fixed phrase 'indecent haste' (too quickly for the situation).

常見錯誤

❌I changed my clothes in an indecent place.
✅I changed my clothes in an unsuitable place.
💡Use 'indecent' for social inappropriateness, not just any bad location.