vulgar

vul·gar

adj \ˈvəl-gər\

Definition of VULGAR

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 kind

4

a : lacking in cultivation, perception, or taste : coarse b : morally crude, undeveloped, or unregenerate : gross c : ostentatious or excessive in expenditure or display : pretentious

5

a : offensive in language : earthy b : lewdly or profanely indecent

— vul·gar·ly adverb

Examples of VULGAR

1. He was a vulgar man.
2. She had a coarse, vulgar laugh.
3. I will not tolerate such vulgar language in my home.

Origin of VULGAR

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to VULGAR

Synonyms: baseborn, common, humble, inferior, low, lowborn, lower-class, low-life, lowly, lumpen, mean, plebeian, prole, proletarian, unwashed, ignoble

Antonyms: aristocratic, blue-blooded, genteel, gentle, grand, great, high, highborn, highbred, lofty, noble, partrician, upper-class, upper-crust, wellborn

Related Words: bourgeois, middle-class; plain, poor, simple, working-class; déclassé, down-market, downscale

Near Antonyms: eminent, illustrious, notable, prominent

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at common, coarse

Rhymes with VULGAR

bulgur