obscene — offensive or disgusting by accepted standards of morality and decency
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: offensive or disgusting by accepted standards of morality and decency
Pronunciation (IPA): /əbˈsiːn/
Example Sentences
- The comedian's obscene jokes made half the audience walk out.
- It's obscene how much money celebrities spend on a single handbag.
- My grandmother thinks wearing shorts to church is obscene.
obscene
ADJECTIVE[/əbˈsiːn/]
offensive or disgusting by accepted standards of morality and decency
offensive or disgusting by accepted standards of morality and decency
The obscene graffiti ruined the clean scene!
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Latin obscenus, originally meaning 'inauspicious' or 'offensive.' One etymological theory suggests it comes from ob- (before, against) + scaena (stage), referring to scenes in theatrical performance that were considered unsuitable for audience viewing.
Breakdown
ob- (before, against) + -scenus (stage-related), with the compound originally denoting content offensive or inappropriate to witness, particularly in dramatic contexts.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The comedian's obscene jokes made half the audience walk out.”
“It's obscene how much money celebrities spend on a single handbag.”
“My grandmother thinks wearing shorts to church is obscene.”
“The court ruled that the artwork was not obscene but merely provocative.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.