What does turpitude mean?
Turpitude is a formal noun meaning moral baseness, depravity, or a state of degrading vice. Unlike ordinary terms such as “badness,” it gives the concept an emphatic, elevated tone and is especially common in serious political, legal, and cultural criticism. In a sentence, the word normally functions as an uncountable noun: writers may speak of a government’s “moral turpitude,” a novel’s depiction of “institutional turpitude,” or a person falling into “a culture of turpitude.” Its force comes from the contrast between its abstract sound and its sharply condemnatory meaning. Turpitude can describe both individual conduct and a broader condition, but it normally implies corruption that is public, serious, or socially significant rather than ordinary moral weakness. Because it is a learned and relatively formal word, turpitude is most effective in prose that aims for gravity or rhetorical force; in casual conversation, “depravity” or “corruption” will often sound more natural. The word is understood in British and American English, though its elevated register can make it feel especially characteristic of political and editorial writing.
nounTurpitude means moral baseness or depravity, especially the corrupt or degrading behavior of a person, institution, or society.
- Moral baseness, depravity, or degrading vice, especially in public life or institutional conduct.
"The investigation exposed the turpitude of the officials who had exploited their positions."
"The inquiry revealed not merely personal misconduct but turpitude throughout the organization."
"Critics dismissed the spectacle as political turpitude rather than serious public debate."
The plural is grammatically possible but uncommon; turpitude is usually used as an uncountable noun.
"The novel portrays the political turpitudes of the period through the lives of its central characters."
Turpitude comes from Latin turpitudo, giving moral corruption a grand-sounding name that can condemn an entire institution or society.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does turpitude come from?
Turpitude comes through French turpitude from the Latin noun turpitudo, meaning “baseness,” “shamefulness,” or “disgrace.” The Latin noun was formed from turpis, an adjective meaning “base,” “shameful,” or “disgraceful,” with turpiter serving as the corresponding Latin adverb. These forms share the same moral vocabulary and root tradition underlying the modern English word.
How turpitude is actually used
Turpitude is formal, literary, and strongly condemnatory. It is normally used in serious political, legal, and cultural contexts, and is less appropriate for casual description of ordinary bad behavior. It is commonly treated as an uncountable noun, though the plural turpitudes is also possible.
Easily confused with turpitude
Turpitude means moral baseness or depravity, whereas turbulence means disorder, agitation, or violent upheaval.