What does vulgar mean?
Vulgar most commonly describes language, behavior, or material regarded as indecent, coarse, tasteless, or offensive. The word is strongly disparaging, and using it to characterize an expression often implies that it violates accepted standards of propriety rather than merely being informal or unconventional. In a less specific sense, vulgar can mean crudely excessive or lacking refinement, as in a discussion of vulgar consumption. Its older meaning, referring to ordinary people and their tastes, survives mainly in historical, sociological, or dismissive contexts and can sound snobbish today. Although the word often attracts attention because of its connection with profanity and obscenity, its history is broader: it originally concerned social status rather than explicit sexual or scatological content. Today it remains useful for distinguishing conduct that is merely unconventional from material that is widely regarded as genuinely offensive or indecent.
Indecent, coarse, offensive, or lacking refinement; in older usage, common or associated with the general public, usually with a disparaging implication.
"The gallery defended the exhibition despite accusations that its contents were vulgar."
The principal modern senses are strongly negative. The older sense relating to ordinary people or popular taste is dated and often condescending.
The common people collectively, especially when regarded with contempt or as lacking cultural refinement.
"The magazine was accused of catering to the vulgar."
This noun use is now dated and strongly disparaging. It normally appears as “the vulgar” and is conceptually plural.
This is a collective, usually plural construction; there is no standard separate plural form.
"The program was designed to appeal to the vulgar."
The word once meant “of the common people”; over time, it became a powerful label for language or conduct considered indecent.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does vulgar come from?
English borrowed the word in the early 16th century from Middle French “vulgaire,” a form of Latin “vulgaris.” The Latin adjective meant “of the common people” or “general” and derived from “vulgus,” the collective noun for a crowd or mob. Over time, the sense developed from the socially ordinary toward the notion of something coarse, common, or offensive. “Vulgate,” “vulgarian,” and “vulgarism” preserve the same Latin foundation.
Related word forms
How vulgar is actually used
In contemporary English, “vulgar” is chiefly a disparaging term for speech, behavior, or material considered indecent, tasteless, or offensive. Its older social senses are now dated and often carry an explicitly condescending implication. It can also be used more generally to mean lacking sophistication, as in “vulgar display,” without implying obscenity.