obscenity
/ɔb'si:niti/
Học thuậtThân thiện
A librarian quietly removes a book with an obscenity from the children's section.
Definition
- Noun:
- An obscene act: Something that is deeply offensive to morality or decency, often related to sexual content.
- An offensive or indecent word or phrase: A specific word or expression considered vulgar, profane, or sexually explicit.
- The trait of behaving in an obscene manner: The quality or characteristic of being obscene.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The film was banned due to its obscenity. (The film was prohibited because of its offensive, indecent content.)
- He was fined for shouting obscenities at the police officer. (He was penalized for yelling offensive and indecent words at the police officer.)
- The obscenity of the crime shocked the community. (The morally repulsive nature of the crime deeply upset the community.)
Advanced Usage
- Legal Context: In law, "obscenity" often refers to material (like books, films, or images) that violates accepted standards of morality and is not protected by free speech laws.
- The court had to determine whether the material met the legal definition of obscenity.
- As a Countable Noun: When referring to specific instances, it is often pluralized ("obscenities").
- His rant was filled with obscenities.
Variants and Related Words
- Obscene (adj): Offensive to morality or decency; indecent.
- They removed the obscene graffiti from the wall.
- Obscenely (adv): In an obscene manner.
- He was obscenely wealthy.
Synonyms
- Profanity: Irreverence toward something sacred, often expressed through vulgar language.
- Vulgarity: The state of being lacking in sophistication or good taste; coarseness.
- Indecency: Behavior or language that is offensive to accepted standards of decency.
Idioms and Phrases
- Shout/scream/yell obscenities: To yell offensive and vulgar words loudly.
- The angry driver leaned out his window and screamed obscenities.
- An act of obscenity: A specific action that is considered morally offensive.
- Vandalizing the memorial was seen as an act of obscenity.
A librarian quietly removes a book with an obscenity from the children's section.
Noun
- an obscene act
- an offensive or indecent word or phrase
- the trait of behaving in an obscene manner