Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Offending against accepted standards of sexual morality or modesty: Describing conduct, appearance, or material that is considered sexually offensive, improper, or obscene.
   • Not conforming with generally accepted standards of behavior or propriety: Describing actions or things that are improper, inappropriate, or in bad taste, often because they are done with unseemly haste or a lack of respect.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The magazine was banned for publishing indecent photographs.
  • Making indecent jokes in a professional setting is unacceptable.
  • It was indecent how quickly they started selling the deceased's belongings.

Advanced Usage

• "indecent exposure": The criminal act of publicly exposing one's private body parts in a manner offensive to social norms.
  • He was arrested for indecent exposure in the park.
• "indecent haste": Excessive and inappropriate speed in doing something, showing a lack of proper respect or consideration.
  • The legislation was passed with indecent haste, ignoring proper debate.

Variants and Related Words

• Indecency (noun): The state or quality of being indecent; an indecent act or expression.
  • The film was criticized for its indecency.
• Indecently (adverb): In an indecent manner.
  • He was dressed indecently for the formal event.

Synonyms

• Improper: Not in accordance with accepted rules or standards.
• Obscene: Offensive or disgusting by accepted standards of morality and decency, especially in a sexual context.
• Unseemly: Not proper or appropriate for the situation.
• Lewd: Crude and offensive in a sexual way.

Antonyms

• Decent: Conforming with generally accepted standards of propriety or morality.
• Proper: Correct according to social or moral rules.
• Modest: Unassuming or moderate in the estimation of one's abilities or achievements; dressing or behaving so as to avoid impropriety or indecency.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Indecent proposal": An offer, typically involving money in exchange for sexual favors, that is morally offensive.
  • She was shocked by his indecent proposal.
• "Poverty is indecent": A saying implying that being very poor forces one into situations that violate social propriety or dignity.

Adjective

1. offending against sexual mores in conduct or appearance
   • a bathing suit considered indecent by local standards
2. offensive to good taste especially in sexual matters
   • an earthy but not indecent story
   • an indecent gesture
3. not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
   • was buried with indecent haste
   • indecorous behavior
   • language unbecoming to a lady
   • unseemly to use profanity
   • moved to curb their untoward ribaldry