adjective
Uncommon
obscene
uhb-SEEN
Obscene (adjective) means Offensive to accepted standards of decency, often in a sexual way. Example: “The film was banned for its obscene content.”
adjective
1
Offensive to accepted standards of decency, often in a sexual way.
"South Park, at the end of the twentieth century, earned international acclaim as the most obscene, scatological, sacrilegious, and popular comedy in the American mainstream and became a leading profit center for Comedy Central."
— Lori Lipoma, Kirkegaard, Contradiction, and South Park: The Jester’s View of Religion (2009)
"However, the new is not radical or provocative or obscene a priori. Provocation develops when the 'communicative contract' between the clothing and the consumer is broken, resulting in shocked rejection or euphoric acceptance."
— Ingrid Loschek, When is Creativity? (2009)
"The film was banned for its obscene content."
2
Shockingly excessive.
"The company posted an obscene profit while cutting staff pay."
How to use obscene
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDeeply offensive or indecent, or shockingly over-the-top.
Common pairings
obscene language
obscene amount of money
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- obscenes
- Past tense
- obscened
- Comparative
- obscener, more obscene
- Superlative
- obscenest, most obscene
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The film was banned for its _____ content.
Etymology
From Latin obscenus, "disgusting, indecent," of uncertain further origin.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for obscene
See all rhymes for obscene →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of obscene?
"obscene" (adjective) means offensive to accepted standards of decency, often in a sexual way.
What is another word for obscene?
Other words for "obscene" include adult, bawdy, blue, cheeky, dirty, indecent.
What is the opposite of obscene?
Opposites of "obscene" include chaste, decent, moral.
What are the different meanings of obscene?
"obscene" has 2 main meanings: 1. Offensive to accepted standards of decency, often in a sexual way; 2. Shockingly excessive.
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