Main Entry:

vul·gar

Pronunciation:

\ˈvəl-gər\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English, from Latin vulgaris of the mob, vulgar, from volgus, vulgus mob, common people

Date:

14th century

1 a: generally used, applied, or accepted b: understood in or having the ordinary sense <they reject the vulgar conception of miracle — W. R. Inge>2: vernacular <the vulgar name of a plant>3 a: of or relating to the common people : plebeian b: generally current : public <the vulgar opinion of that time> c: of the usual, typical, or ordinary kind4 a: lacking in cultivation, perception, or taste : coarse b: morally crude, undeveloped, or unregenerate : gross c: ostentatious or excessive in expenditure or display : pretentious5 a: offensive in language : earthy b: lewdly or profanely indecent

synonyms see common, coarse

— vul·gar·ly adverb