indecent exposure

noun

: intentional exposure of part of one's body (such as the genitals) in a place or under circumstances in which such exposure is likely to be an offense against the generally accepted standards of decency

Examples of indecent exposure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On Thursday, dozens of students were walking on Olive Drive, many of them unaware of the indecent exposure investigation. —Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026

Davis police are investigating a series of indecent exposure incidents that happened last week in the Olive Drive area of the city. —Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026

In a bail request court filing, Monnens said Newton is a suspect in three indecent exposure incidents that occurred in Burnsville between October and December. —Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 7 Jan. 2026

The attorney for a Wilson County School Board member recently arrested for indecent exposure says there is not enough evidence to support the charges and believes the case should be dismissed. —Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for indecent exposure

• closure
• crozier
• hosier
• mosher
• composure
• cynosure
• disclosure
• enclosure
• foreclosure
• inclosure
• nondisclosure
• postexposure

Medical Definition

indecent exposure

noun

: intentional exposure of part of one's body (as the genitalia) in a place where such exposure is likely to be an offense against the generally accepted standards of decency in a community

Legal Definition

indecent exposure

noun

in·​de·​cent exposure

: the exposing of one's private body parts (as the genitals) either recklessly or intentionally and under circumstances likely to cause offense or affront

Note: Indecent exposure is generally classified as a misdemeanor.