noun

vulgarian

vul-GAIR-ee-uhn

Quiz me More like this

Vulgarian (noun) means a person whose manners or taste are crude or tasteless, especially someone who does not notice it in themselves. Example: “The critic dismissed him as a vulgarian with more money than manners.”

noun

A person whose manners or taste are crude or tasteless, especially someone who does not notice it in themselves.

"The critic dismissed him as a vulgarian with more money than manners."

"She worried the new neighbours were vulgarians who would ruin the street's quiet reputation."

"He played the vulgarian at dinner, boasting loudly about his car."

adjective

Showing the crude or tasteless manners of a vulgarian.

"The hotel lobby was all vulgarian gold and marble."

"Critics called the film's humour vulgarian and cheap."

"His vulgarian taste in decor shocked the guests."

How to use vulgarian

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone (or something) that is crude, tasteless or lacking refinement.

When to use it

It is a fairly formal, literary word, more often read than said aloud in everyday speech.

Memory tip

Think of it as vulgar plus the ending -ian, the same pattern used in words like librarian.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

a vulgarian at heart dismissed as a vulgarian vulgarian taste vulgarian manners

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like vulgarian.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “vulgarian” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The critic dismissed him as a _____ with more money than manners.

Etymology

Vulgarian is built from the adjective vulgar with the suffix -ian added to turn it into a noun or adjective describing a type of person. It is related to the Late Latin word vulgārius and the Latin vulgāris, from which vulgar itself descends.

Origin: English

Rhymes for vulgarian

Asian radian Fabian Indian Syrian simian median Italian Russian Persian Serbian Latvian

See all rhymes for vulgarian →

Frequently asked questions

What does vulgarian mean?

A vulgarian is someone whose behaviour or taste is crude or tasteless, often without them noticing it themselves.

Is vulgarian an insult?

Yes, it is generally used as a disapproving or mocking description of someone's manners or taste.

Can vulgarian be used as an adjective as well as a noun?

Yes, it can describe a person directly or describe something as having crude, tasteless qualities.

What is the meaning of vulgarian?

"vulgarian" (noun) means a person whose manners or taste are crude or tasteless, especially someone who does not notice it in themselves.