Definition

lacking refinement or good taste; coarse and uncultured

Pronunciation

US English

UK English

Part of Speech

adjective

Synonyms

crass, uncivilized, rough, tasteless, low-class

Antonyms

refined, tasteful, cultured, genteel, sophisticated

Word Forms

Part of Speech Words
Noun vulgarization, vulgarizations, vulgarities, vulgarizer, vulgarizers, vulgarity
Verb vulgarizes, vulgarize, vulgarizing, vulgarized
Adjective vulgar
Adverb vulgarly

Example Sentences

  • The decor in the room was extremely vulgar, with brightly colored wallpaper and cheap furnishings.

  • She was widely regarded as a vulgar woman due to her coarse language and aggressive behavior.

  • Despite his wealth, he still possessed a vulgar taste in clothing, often wearing garish and ill-fitting suits.

  • The comedian’s performance was filled with vulgar jokes and crude language that offended many audience members.

Usage

The word “vulgar” originated from the Latin word “vulgaris,” which means “common” or “pertaining to the common people.” In its early usage, “vulgar” referred to anything that was ordinary, common, or typical of the common people. Over time, however, the connotation of the word shifted towards something coarse, indecent, or lacking refinement.

The prefix “vul-” in “vulgar” is derived from the Latin word “vulgus,” which means “the common people.” This root emphasizes the association of the word with common or ordinary things. The suffix “-ar” is added to form an adjective.

The word “vulgar” is used to describe something that is lacking in good taste or refinement, and is considered coarse or uncultured. This term is often used to describe manners, speech, appearance, or anything that is deemed to be in poor taste. For example, a person may be referred to as vulgar if they exhibit behaviors that are considered rude or offensive. Similarly, an object or piece of art may be considered vulgar if it lacks the sophistication and elegance associated with good taste. The word “vulgar” is also sometimes used as a synonym for “crass,” which means lacking sensitivity or tact. In general, the use of the word “vulgar” implies that the person or object in question is considered to be in poor taste and lacking in cultural refinement.

Variations of the word include “vulgarity” (noun), which refers to the state or quality of being vulgar, and “vulgarize” (verb), which means to make something vulgar or to render it in a crude or offensive manner.

Overall, the word “vulgar” is used to denote something that is coarse, indecent, or lacking refinement, and is often associated with behavior or language that is considered offensive or inappropriate.