Definition

Noun: 1. Humor that is coarse, vulgar, or indecent in nature: Language, jokes, or behavior that deals with sexual matters in a humorously earthy or offensive way. 2. Indecent or vulgar behavior: Conduct that is characterized by or involves coarse, lewd humor.

Examples of Usage

• The comedian's act was filled with such ribaldry that it shocked some of the more conservative audience members.
• The old tavern songs were known for their ribaldry and colorful language.
• His stories, while amusing, often descended into pure ribaldry.

Advanced Usage

• "A hint/touch of ribaldry": A small amount of coarse humor within a larger context.
  • The play was a sophisticated comedy, but it contained a hint of ribaldry that appealed to the groundlings.
• "To indulge in ribaldry": To engage in or enjoy vulgar humor.
  • After a few drinks, the conversation turned and they began to indulge in ribaldry.

Variants and Related Words

• Ribald (adjective): Characterized by or using coarse, vulgar humor.
  • He told a ribald joke that made everyone laugh, albeit awkwardly.
• Ribaldrous (adjective, archaic): An older form meaning "ribald."

Synonyms

• Bawdiness: Coarse, humorously indecent language or themes.
• Vulgarity: The state of being lacking in sophistication or good taste; crudeness.
• Lewdness: Obscene or vulgar behavior, especially of a sexual nature.
• Salaciousness: The quality of being overly interested in sexual matters.
• Earthiness: Direct, robust, and often coarse humor.

Antonyms

• Decorum: Behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety.
• Modesty: The quality of being relatively moderate, limited, or small in amount, rate, or level.
• Propriety: Conformity to conventionally accepted standards of behavior or morals.
• Primness: Formality and stiffness of manner or behavior.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Ribald humor": The most common collocation, directly specifying the type of humor.
  • The film relies heavily on ribald humor for its laughs.
• "To exchange ribaldries": To share coarse jokes or comments with one another.
  • The soldiers exchanged ribaldries to pass the time.

Noun

1. behavior or language bordering on indelicacy
2. ribald humor