ribald

American  

[rib-uhld, rahy-buhld] / ˈrɪb əld, ˈraɪ bəld /

adjective

1. vulgar or indecent in speech, language, etc.; coarsely mocking, abusive, or irreverent; scurrilous.

   Synonyms:

   gross, obscene, indecent

   Antonyms:

   pure

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noun

1. a ribald person.

ribald British  

/ ˈrɪbəld /

adjective

1. coarse, obscene, or licentious, usually in a humorous or mocking way

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noun

1. a ribald person

Other Word Forms

• ribaldly adverb

Etymology

Origin of ribald

1200–50; Middle English ribald, ribaud (noun) < Old French ribau ( l ) d, equivalent to rib ( er ) to be licentious (< Old High German rīben to copulate, be in heat, literally, rub) + -au ( l ) d, -alt < Frankish *-wald a suffix in personal names, derivative of *walden to rule; compare parallel development of -ard

Example Sentences

A refined sense of the ribald, most of the time.

From The Wall Street Journal

Bombastic, unrepentant, with a ribald sense of humor and a defense that leaned heavily into his desire to make Germany great again, Göring came out swinging.

From Los Angeles Times

Whether Gifford is throwing out ribald euphemisms or Kotb's inspirational quotes are being derailed, the show’s pure magnetism is obvious and unrivaled.

From Salon

But in an editorial in Tuesday's memorial edition, the paper's main shareholder said its spirit of ribald anti-religious irreverence was still very much alive.

From BBC

There may have been some who might have scolded a former president for – gasp – daring to indulge in ribald, low-brow swipes.

From Salon

Related Words

• bawdy
• coarse
• foul-mouthed
• lewd
• naughty
• off-color
• racy
• rude
• sly