bawdy

1 of 2

adjective

ˈbȯ-dē 

bawdier; bawdiest

1

: boisterously or humorously indecent

bawdy jokes

2

: obscene, lewd

a bawdy comedian

bawdily

ˈbȯ-də-lē 

adverb

bawdiness

ˈbȯ-dē-nəs 

noun

bawdy

2 of 2

noun

: bawdry sense 2

Synonyms of bawdy

Adjective

• obscene
• vulgar
• pornographic
• nasty
• foul
• dirty
• filthy
• suggestive
• ribald

Examples of bawdy in a Sentence

Adjective

a bawdy film that is not appropriate for children

a bawdy comment about someone you work with could get you fired

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The jokes about a modern couple trapped in a magical town stuck more than 200 years in the past hit the mark with just the right amount of bawdy fun. — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

The potentially odorous oxfords and bawdy boots come on the heels of another viral foot sensation. — Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 26 June 2026

Real talk, Palmer is one of pop culture’s most incandescent figures, whose natural cadence and sense of self yields an approachably bawdy humor. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 23 May 2026

Since then, Sarah Ruden’s excellent (and much bawdier) new translation has come out. — Literary Hub, 19 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

bawd + -y entry 1

Noun

probably from bawdy entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1513, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1656, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bawdy

• bawdy house

Rhymes for bawdy

• body
• gaudy
• khadi
• mahdi
• noddy
• oddi
• shoddy
• toddy
• waddy
• afterbody
• antibody
• busybody

Kids Definition

bawdy

adjective

ˈbȯd-ē

bawdier; bawdiest

: morally objectionable : obscene

bawdily

ˈbȯd-ᵊl-ē

adverb

bawdiness

ˈbȯd-ē-nəs

noun