What does vulgarity mean?
Vulgarity is a noun for language, behavior, or displays that are considered offensive, indecent, excessively crude, or contrary to accepted standards of taste and propriety. It can refer to obscene or insulting speech, but it is also used for conduct or presentation regarded as tasteless or lacking refinement, even when no profanity is present. The term commonly appears in criticism of the arts, media, public behavior, and everyday manners. Because it carries a strongly negative judgment, it is generally avoided in neutral descriptions and is especially common in formal or journalistic registers. Its history is revealing: the word comes through Latin vulgaris, originally meaning “common” or “of the crowd,” and its modern association with offensive conduct developed later. Recognizing this semantic shift helps distinguish the historical idea of something common or general from the modern sense of something indecent or unrefined.
nounBehavior, language, or an expression that is offensive, indecent, or contrary to accepted standards of propriety. It can also refer more broadly to a lack of refinement or good taste.
- Language, behavior, or an expression that is offensive, indecent, or insulting.
- A lack of refinement, taste, or propriety in behavior, speech, or artistic presentation.
"The comedian was criticized for the vulgarity of his jokes."
"Several viewers objected to the vulgarity of the late-night broadcast."
"The building's vulgar display of wealth seemed designed to shock passersby."
The plural is grammatical but comparatively uncommon.
"The magazine catalogued the vulgarities of the advertisement in detail."
The word began by referring to the masses: Latin vulgaris meant “of the common people.” Over time, “common” acquired the stronger modern sense of offensive or unrefined.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does vulgarity come from?
Vulgarity comes from the adjective vulgar, which was borrowed from Latin vulgaris, meaning “common,” “ordinary,” or “of the crowd.” The word was initially associated with ordinary people rather than with offensive behavior; its stronger sense of indecency and lack of refinement developed over time. Latin vulgaris also underlies cognates such as vulgarian and the word vulgate, while vulgarize was formed within English from the same adjective.
How vulgarity is actually used
The word is usually disapproving and is more common in formal criticism, journalism, and discussion of public behavior than in everyday conversation. Its meaning ranges from indecency or obscenity to tastelessness and lack of refinement.
Easily confused with vulgarity
“Vulgar” is an adjective describing something offensive or unrefined, whereas “vulgarity” is the noun naming the offensive behavior, language, or quality.