vulgar

/'vʌlgə/
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vulgar

A comedian told a vulgar joke that made the audience groan.

Definition
  1. Adjective:
    • Lacking sophistication or good taste; coarse and offensive: "vulgar" describes something that is indecent, crude, or offensive in a way that shows a lack of refinement or sensitivity to what is considered proper.
    • Of or relating to the common people; vernacular: "vulgar" can refer to the language or customs of ordinary people, as opposed to the learned or elite. This meaning is often historical or technical.
    • Commonplace or ordinary: In a dated or specialized sense, "vulgar" can mean something that is common or prevalent.
Usage and Examples
  • As an adjective (lacking taste/refinement):

    • He told a vulgar joke that offended many people at the dinner party.
    • The graffiti was criticized for its vulgar language and imagery.
    • She found his loud and vulgar behavior at the concert embarrassing.
  • As an adjective (relating to common language/people):

    • The poet chose to write in the vulgar tongue so that more people could understand his work.
    • "Ain't" was once considered a vulgarism, a feature of vulgar speech.
  • As an adjective (commonplace - dated):

    • In earlier centuries, scholars distinguished between Latin and the vulgar languages of Europe.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
  • "The vulgar" (noun, plural): A collective term for ordinary people, the masses. This usage is now archaic and can carry a condescending tone.

    • The aristocracy often looked down upon the tastes of the vulgar.
  • "Vulgar fraction" (mathematics): A simple fraction where the numerator and denominator are both integers (e.g., ½, ¾), as opposed to a decimal fraction. This is a standard technical term.

    • Please express your answer as a vulgar fraction.
Variants and Related Words
  • Vulgarly (adverb): In a vulgar manner.

    • He was vulgarly dressed for the formal event.
  • Vulgarity (noun): The quality or state of being vulgar; a vulgar act or expression.

    • The vulgarity of his comments was shocking.
    • She was tired of the constant vulgarities in the film.
  • Vulgarism (noun): A word or expression that is considered coarse or unrefined.

    • Some grammarians still classify certain contractions as vulgarisms.
  • Vulgarize (verb): To make vulgar or common; to debase.

    • Critics accused the media of vulgarizing the serious issue.
Synonyms
  • Coarse: Rough or harsh in texture or manner; lacking refinement.
  • Crude: In a natural or raw state; not processed or refined; also, offensively direct or simple.
  • Uncouth: Lacking good manners, refinement, or grace.
  • Tasteless: Lacking aesthetic or social taste.
  • Common (in the sense of lacking refinement): Of the ordinary kind; not distinguished by superior qualities.
  • Vernacular (for the language sense): The language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people of a country or region.
Antonyms
  • Refined: Elegant and cultured in appearance, manner, or taste.
  • Polished: Refined, sophisticated, or elegant.
  • Cultured: Characterized by refined taste and manners and good education.
  • Decorous: In keeping with good taste and propriety; polite and restrained.
  • Genteel: Polite, refined, or respectable, often in an affected or exaggerated way.
Idioms and Fixed Phrases
  • Vulgar display of wealth/power: An ostentatious and tasteless show of one's riches or influence, intended to impress others but often perceived as crass.
    • The mansion's gold-plated fixtures were seen as a vulgar display of wealth.
vulgar

A comedian told a vulgar joke that made the audience groan.

Adjective
  1. conspicuously and tastelessly indecent
    • coarse language
    • a crude joke
    • crude behavior
    • an earthy sense of humor
    • a revoltingly gross expletive
    • a vulgar gesture
    • full of language so vulgar it should have been edited
  2. being or characteristic of or appropriate to everyday language
    • common parlance
    • a vernacular term
    • vernacular speakers
    • the vulgar tongue of the masses
    • the technical and vulgar names for an animal species
  3. of or associated with the great masses of people
    • the common people in those days suffered greatly
    • behavior that branded him as common
    • his square plebeian nose
    • a vulgar and objectionable person
    • the unwashed masses
  4. lacking refinement or cultivation or taste
    • he had coarse manners but a first-rate mind
    • behavior that branded him as common
    • an untutored and uncouth human being
    • an uncouth soldier--a real tough guy
    • appealing to the vulgar taste for violence
    • the vulgar display of the newly rich