noun
vulgarity
vul-GAIR-uh-tee/vʌlˈɡærəti/
The quality or expression of being crude or lacking refinement.
Her obscene gesture displays vulgarity at the café table.
Etymology
Latin vulgaris described what belonged to common people, a meaning that probably developed into the disparaging sense “unrefined.” Vulgarity came to name that coarseness, including tasteless or offensive acts and expressions.
In context
dissenting and disrespectful comments the vulgarity of which is below me
More examples
- The review criticized the show’s cheerful vulgarity.
- He mistook expensive decoration for an escape from vulgarity.
- The editor removed several vulgarities from the letter.
Forms
vulgarity · vulgarities
vulgar adjective — crude or lacking refinement
Similar words
- crudeness
- Crudeness lacks refinement; vulgarity often adds an offensive or socially coarse quality.
- obscenity
- Obscenity involves strongly offensive sexual or indecent content; vulgarity is broader.