adj
Uncommon
vulgar
VUHL-guh
Vulgar (adj) means Crude, tasteless, or offensive, especially in speech or behaviour. Example: “His vulgar jokes made half the room uncomfortable.”
adj
1
Crude, tasteless, or offensive, especially in speech or behaviour.
"His vulgar jokes made half the room uncomfortable."
"The tabloid was criticised for its vulgar headlines."
2
Relating to ordinary people rather than the elite or educated classes; common or unrefined.
"The professor traced how Latin evolved into the vulgar tongues of medieval Europe."
How to use vulgar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCrude or tasteless — or, in an older sense, simply "of ordinary people" rather than refined or elite.
Common mistake
The everyday meaning (crude, offensive) is now far more common than the older "of common people" sense — don't assume the historical meaning in modern writing.
Common pairings
vulgar language
vulgar joke
vulgar display
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Word forms
- Plural
- vulgars
- Comparative
- more vulgar, vulgarer
- Superlative
- most vulgar, vulgarest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His _____ jokes made half the room uncomfortable.
Etymology
From Latin vulgaris, "of the common people," from vulgus, "the crowd, the masses."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “vulgar” mean?
The word “vulgar” means crude, tasteless, or offensive, especially in speech or behaviour. In plain terms, crude or tasteless — or, in an older sense, simply "of ordinary people" rather than refined or elite.
How do you pronounce “vulgar”?
“Vulgar” is pronounced VUHL-guh (/ˈvʌl.ɡɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “vulgar” in a sentence?
Here is “vulgar” used in a sentence: “His vulgar jokes made half the room uncomfortable.”
What part of speech is “vulgar”?
“Vulgar” is an adjective.
Where does the word “vulgar” come from?
The word “vulgar” comes from Latin. From Latin vulgaris, "of the common people," from vulgus, "the crowd, the masses.".
Is “vulgar” a common word?
“Vulgar” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “vulgar” have?
“Vulgar” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: crude, tasteless, or offensive, especially in speech or behaviour.
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