What does vulgarian mean?
Vulgarian is an old-fashioned literary word with two connected histories. In its earlier social sense, a vulgarian was simply a person of common birth or station, viewed from a privileged perspective as the opposite of an aristocrat or patrician. Over time, however, the word developed the more pejorative modern sense of someone regarded as coarse, rude, vulgar, or badly behaved. The adjective can similarly refer to common people, popular tastes, or something dismissed as lacking refinement. Because it often expresses the judgments of a speaker rather than a neutral description, vulgarian normally carries an insulting or dismissive force and sounds dated in contemporary prose. It is nevertheless useful when discussing the relationship between social status and personal behavior: the word records both an older hierarchy between the common people and the elite and a later tendency to use “common” or “popular” language as a criticism. In careful modern writing, its intended sense should be clear from context.
A person regarded as coarse, rude, or lacking refinement; especially, a person whose behavior is vulgar.
"He behaved like a vulgarian, interrupting everyone and ignoring the rules of polite conversation."
Usually literary and insulting. The older sense, “a person of common social rank,” is archaic.
Relating to common people or popular tastes; also, vulgar or lacking refinement.
"The satire mocked the vulgar tastes of the newly prosperous middle class."
Literary and old-fashioned. This use can reflect a class-based or dismissive attitude toward popular culture.
The standard plural of the noun; usually used in the modern pejorative sense.
"The novel portrays several vulgarians who mistake wealth and influence for distinction."
Vulgarian once meant an ordinary person of the common people; over time, its focus shifted from social rank to personal vulgarity.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How vulgarian is actually used
The word is literary, old-fashioned, and usually dismissive or insulting. Its older sense contrasting a common person with an aristocrat is now largely archaic, while the pejorative sense meaning a coarse or badly behaved person is more familiar.
Easily confused with vulgarian
Vulgar is primarily an adjective meaning coarse, tasteless, or lacking refinement, whereas a vulgarian is a person regarded as behaving in that way.
Vulgarity is the quality or behavior of being vulgar, while a vulgarian is the person perceived to embody that behavior.