obscenity

noun

ob·​scen·​i·​ty äb-ˈse-nə-tē 

əb-

also -ˈsē-

plural obscenities

1

: the quality or state of being obscene

2

: something (such as an utterance or act) that is obscene

Synonyms of obscenity

• vulgarity
• grossness
• suggestiveness
• crudeness
• foulness
• indecency
• lewdness
• coarseness

Examples of obscenity in a Sentence

The author uses obscenity to make a point about the culture.

the song couldn't be performed on the air due to the obscenity of the lyrics

Recent Examples on the Web

The Chico State allegations were covered by the Chico Enterprise-Record, which reported in 2006 that players accused Goodenbour of degrading them and directing obscenities at them. —Julia Haney, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026

That has given the agency the legal ability to regulate such things as indecency and obscenity, as well as commercials in children’s programming. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026

But as the film quietly signals, a society’s obscenities are not aberrations, only parts of an ugly chapter in a long history. —Michael Snyder, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026

There’s an obscenity with pearls. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French obscenité "indecent words or images," borrowed from Latin obscēnitāt-, obscēnitās (obscaenitāt-, obscaenitās) "indecency, indecent language or behavior," from obscēnus, obscaenus "ill-omened, unpropitious, evoking disgust, indecent, lewd" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at obscene

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing obscenity

• anti-obscenity

Rhymes for obscenity

• amenity
• serenity
• lenity

Kids Definition

obscenity

noun

ob·​scen·​i·​ty äb-ˈsen-ət-ē 

əb-

plural obscenities

1

: the quality or state of being obscene

2

: something that is obscene

Legal Definition

obscenity

noun

ob·​scen·​i·​ty äb-ˈse-nə-tē 

plural obscenities

1

: the quality or state of being obscene

2

: something (as an utterance or act) that is obscene

also : obscene material