scandalous

[ skan-dl-uhs ]

adjective

1. disgraceful; shameful or shocking; improper:

   scandalous behavior in public.

2. defamatory or libelous, as a speech or writing.
3. attracted to or preoccupied with scandal, as a person:

   a scandalous, vicious gossip.

Other Words From

• scandal·ous·ly adverb
• scandal·ous·ness noun
• non·scandal·ous adjective
• non·scandal·ous·ly adverb
• super·scandal·ous adjective
• super·scandal·ous·ly adverb
• un·scandal·ous adjective
• un·scandal·ous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of scandalous¹

From the Medieval Latin word scandalōsus, dating back to 1585–95. See scandal, -ous

Example Sentences

They were a network of institutions across the island of Ireland which housed unmarried women and their babies at a time when pregnancy outside marriage was viewed as scandalous.

From BBC

“It’s nothing scandalous, but we’re having a ball with this. The media, their heads are exploding. ‘What is the secret?’”

From Salon

The founder of a group set up to support caravan owners said it was "scandalous" that "people's lives are being ruined".

From BBC

If you’re looking for an audio guide with all the scandalous details, theories and ghost stories about the case, check out the BBC’s eight-episode “Oil in Blood” series from the “Assume Nothing” podcast.

From Los Angeles Times

Republic attacks the current funding for the royals as opaque and secretive and a "scandalous abuse of public money".

From BBC

Related Words

• defamatory
• disgraceful
• heinous
• outrageous
• scurrilous
• shameful
• shocking
• slanderous
• unseemly
• untrue