obscene

[ uhb-seen ]

adjective

1. offensive to morality or decency; indecent; depraved:

   obscene language.

2. causing uncontrolled sexual desire.
3. abominable; disgusting; repulsive.

obscene

/ əbˈsiːn /

adjective

1. offensive or outrageous to accepted standards of decency or modesty
2. law (of publications) having a tendency to deprave or corrupt
3. disgusting; repellent

   an obscene massacre

Derived Forms

• obˈscenely, adverb

Other Words From

• ob·scenely adverb
• ob·sceneness noun
• unob·scene adjective
• unob·scenely adverb
• unob·sceneness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of obscene¹

First recorded in 1585–95, obscene is from the Latin word obscēnus, obscaenus

Word History and Origins

Origin of obscene¹

C16: from Latin obscēnus inauspicious, perhaps related to caenum filth

Example Sentences

Last November, the board also approved a rule requiring school libraries to pull books if any district resident complains they are “sexually obscene.”

From Los Angeles Times

He also admitted to a count of attempting to cause a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity and one of publishing an obscene article.

From BBC

She spoke to the BBC last year about the "obscene amount of pressure" she felt under as a contestant on the show.

From BBC

Once AB 1831 goes into effect next year, AI-generated and digitally altered material will join other types of obscene child pornography in being illegal to knowingly possess, sell to adults or distribute to minors.

From Los Angeles Times

The post sent by a mysterious writer to Shiptonthorpe, some of which has been seen by the BBC, is described as “personal, obscene and targeted”.

From BBC

Related Words

• bawdy
• coarse
• crude
• disgusting
• horrible
• improper
• lewd
• nasty
• outrageous
• pornographic
• profane
• repugnant
• salacious
• scatological
• shocking
• suggestive