What does vulgarly mean?
Vulgarly is an adverb meaning in a manner considered vulgar: coarse, tasteless, overly familiar, or contrary to accepted standards of propriety. In contemporary English its evaluative sense is dominant, so describing speech or conduct as vulgarly comic, rude, or shameless indicates that the behaviour is regarded as lacking refinement. The word can sound strongly judgmental and is usually more appropriate in discussion of conspicuous speech, manners, or comic performance than as a neutral description. An older sense, now less common, means “in ordinary or general use.” This survives in formal or traditional expressions that introduce an everyday name for something. Vulgarly ultimately comes from Latin vulgaris, “common, popular,” itself related to vulgus, “the common people.” Its history is revealing: the root once suggested what the majority recognized, but its sense gradually shifted toward the opposite of refined or proper. Today, consequently, vulgarly is useful when the speaker intends both to describe a manner and to mark it as socially disapproved.
adverbIn a manner regarded as vulgar, as in lacking refinement, taste, or propriety. It can also mean in common or general use, especially in the older sense represented by the expression 'vulgarly known as.'
- In a manner regarded as vulgar, tasteless, rude, or improper.
- In a common or generally understood manner; commonly.
"The guests were meant to be impressed, but the host behaved vulgarly throughout the evening."
"The play's crude humour makes the supposedly dignified king behave vulgarly."
"A severance package is vulgarly known as a golden parachute."
Vulgarly began as a neutral word for 'popular'; the insulting edge came later.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of vulgarly
Vulgarly was formed in English by adding the suffix -ly to vulgar. Vulgar came through Old French vulgar from Latin vulgaris, meaning “common” or “popular,” ultimately from vulgus, “the common people.” The pejorative sense “lacking refinement” developed in the 16th century; related words include popular, from Latin popularis, vulgarity, and the Vulgate.
How vulgarly is actually used
In contemporary usage, the evaluative sense is dominant and often conveys strong social disapproval. The older sense meaning 'commonly' survives mainly in traditional or formal expressions and may sound dated or difficult for some readers.
Easily confused with vulgarly
Vulgar is primarily an adjective, whereas vulgarly is the adverb describing the manner in which someone acts or speaks.