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Definitions

vulgar

[vuhl-ger] / ˈvʌl gər /
ADJECTIVE
rude, offensive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
boorish coarse crude disgusting filthy impolite indecent nasty naughty obscene off-color profane ribald scatological suggestive tasteless tawdry
WEAK
X-rated base blue cheap common contemptible dirty dishonorable fractious gross hard-core ignoble improper indecorous indelicate inferior low malicious odious raw repulsive risqué rough slippery smutty sneaking soft-core sordid uncouth unmannerly unrefined unworthy villainous
Antonyms
STRONGEST
chaste clean decent gentle moral nice pleasant pleasing polite pure refined sophisticated tasteful
WEAK
aesthetic artistic fashionable inoffensive
ADJECTIVE
common, general
Synonyms
STRONGEST
colloquial conversational vernacular
WEAK
dime a dozen everyday familiar garden variety low native ordinary plastic plebeian popular public run-of-the-mill unrefined
Antonyms
WEAK
aesthetic artistic decent fashionable inoffensive nice polite refined

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

To Ms. Noonan, awarding honors in the chamber is vulgar theatrics.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

The vulgar kitsch of “The Housemaid” is its silly secret weapon, and it’s Seyfried who stays reloading the ammunition, making sure that this hefty dose of frivolity is as unforgettable as its conventionally prestigious contemporaries.

From Salon • Jan. 31, 2026

But now, online scammers were co-opting her iconic image for "vulgar and despicable attempts to exploit her legacy", the Brigitte Bardot Foundation said.

From BBC • Jan. 4, 2026

“The comments were vulgar, offensive and false, and we apologize for the hurt they have caused,” the company said Wednesday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

All over Winter, even in frozen barbarian Perunter, it is considered execrably vulgar to talk business while eating.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

Vocabulary lists containing vulgar

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Unit 1: Telling Details

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Fences

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