What does obscene mean?
Obscene is an adjective describing material, behavior, or other conduct that violates accepted standards of morality or sexual propriety. Its most common use concerns explicit sexual material, but the word can also characterize language, images, performances, publications, or actions that are indecent, lewd, or deliberately shocking. In legal contexts, obscene has a more technical meaning, generally involving material that is offensive to contemporary standards and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value; the precise test varies by jurisdiction. The word can also be used metaphorically, as in “obscene profits,” to indicate an extreme or morally troubling excess. Because it carries a strong negative judgment, obscene is more forceful than merely improper and is usually reserved for content or conduct considered seriously indecent rather than merely rude or unconventional.
adjectiveOffensive to standards of morality or decency, especially because it involves sexual material or behavior. In legal contexts, it can describe something extremely objectionable or indecent.
- Offensive to standards of sexual propriety or morality; indecent, lewd, or prurient.
- So objectionable or shocking as to be considered indecent; used in legal and critical contexts.
- Extremely excessive or brazen, especially in the expression obscene profits.
"The library removed the book after it was classified as obscene material."
"The museum received complaints after displaying what some visitors considered obscene artwork."
"The statute criminalizes the distribution of obscene publications, with important legal qualifications governing the determination of obscenity."
From the Latin obscenus, “obscene” has meant morally offensive or indecent for centuries—and can describe anything from explicit material to profits deemed excessively large.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does obscene come from?
The English word comes from Latin obscenus, an adjective associated with offensiveness, shame, or indecency, although the precise ancient derivation of the Latin term is uncertain. English borrowed it in the early 16th century, initially in contexts concerned with indecency or moral offensiveness. Its later legal and critical senses developed from this general association with what is openly objectionable to accepted standards.
Related word forms
How obscene is actually used
In modern usage, the word is especially associated with sexual material, but it can also describe conduct, publications, profits, or other things regarded as shameless or indecent. Its legal meaning is narrower and jurisdiction-dependent, so legal conclusions should not be inferred from ordinary usage alone.
Easily confused with obscene
Obscene means indecent or morally objectionable, whereas obscure means little known, difficult to understand, or hidden from view.