vulgarity

/vʌlˈɡærəti/ (bre, ipa) · [vəlɡˈɛrɪti] /vʌlˈɡærəti/ (ame, ipa) · [vəlɡˈɛrɪti] /ˌvəl-ˈger-rə-tē How to pronounce vulgarity (audio) -ˈga-rə-/ (ame, mw)

vulgarity — noun

  • vulgaritysingular
  • vulgaritiesplural

1. The quality of showing poor taste, bad manners, or a lack of refinement in a per

1.名詞B2
釋義

The quality of showing poor taste, bad manners, or a lack of refinement in a person's style, appearance, behaviour, or surroundings.

例句

The critic described the hotel's gold-plated furniture as the height of vulgarity.

uncountable: 'the height of vulgarity'

Marco was embarrassed by the vulgarity of the decorations at his uncle's party.

同義詞
  • tastelessness

    focuses on lack of aesthetic judgment rather than social crudeness

  • gaudiness

    specifically about things that are overly bright, showy, or decorative in a cheap way

  • crudeness

    suggests a rough, unfinished quality rather than deliberate bad taste

反義詞
  • refinement

    the quality of being elegant and cultured in style or taste

  • elegance

    graceful and tasteful in appearance or manner

文法句型

the vulgarity of [something]

2. Behaviour, language, or humour that shocks or offends people, especially through

2.名詞B2
釋義

Behaviour, language, or humour that shocks or offends people, especially through inappropriate references to sexual or bodily matters.

例句

The audience walked out of the comedy show, shocked by the vulgarity of the jokes.

collocation: 'vulgarity of [the jokes]'

Valentina complained to the manager about the vulgarity of the language used by the staff.

同義詞
  • obscenity

    stronger and more specific; focuses on sexual offensiveness

  • indecency

    focuses on violation of social standards of appropriate behaviour

  • crudity

    suggests blunt, unsophisticated offensiveness without polish

反義詞
  • decency

    behaviour that respects accepted social standards of propriety

  • politeness

    showing consideration for others through courteous behaviour

文法句型

the vulgarity of [language/remarks/jokes]

用法筆記

This sense refers to behaviour or language intended to offend or that is socially unacceptable. Distinguish from sense 1 (LACK OF TASTE), which describes poor style or aesthetics rather than deliberate offensiveness.

常見錯誤

❌The walls were painted in colours of shocking vulgarity.
✅The walls were painted in colours of shocking tastelessness.
💡For describing poor aesthetic choices, use 'tastelessness' rather than 'vulgarity' which more strongly implies rude or offensive content.

3. A specific rude remark, offensive word, or tasteless object or image.

3.名詞B2
釋義

A specific rude remark, offensive word, or tasteless object or image.

例句

The politician was recorded making a series of vulgarities during the meeting.

countable: plural form 'vulgarities'

Lara deleted the comment after realising it contained several vulgarities.

同義詞
  • profanity

    specifically about swear words and religious irreverence

  • obscenity

    stronger; more explicitly sexual in nature

文法句型

vulgarities (plural) for several instances

用法筆記

Often used in the plural form 'vulgarities' to refer to rude words or offensive remarks. As a countable noun, it refers to specific instances rather than the general quality described in senses 1 and 2.