indecent

adjective

in·​de·​cent (ˌ)in-ˈdē-sᵊnt 

: not decent: such as

a

: grossly improper or offensive

indecent language

b

: unseemly, inappropriate

he took indecent pleasure in her troubles

indecently adverb

Synonyms

• bawdy
• blue
• coarse
• crude
• dirty
• filthy
• foul
• gross
• gutter
• impure
• lascivious
• lewd
• locker-room
• nasty
• obscene
• pornographic
• porny
• profane
• raunchy
• ribald
• smutty
• stag
• trashy
• unprintable
• vulgar
• wanton
• X-rated

Examples of indecent in a Sentence

He took indecent pleasure in her troubles.

paintings of nude figures are artistic, not indecent

Recent Examples on the Web

Orange Beach has a vulgarity ordinance on the books, which was enacted about a decade ago amid concerns about vulgar or indecent T-shirts and other merchandise sold at souvenir stores. —al, 20 Jan. 2023

Because there are more good people than indecent ones. —Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 12 Jan. 2023

But these phenomena can be kept from being indecent and outrageous. —Justin Beal, Harper’s Magazine , 12 Dec. 2022

The charges were eventually dropped, with Judge Raymond E. Gieringer dismissing the case and upholding Carlin’s right to free speech despite the indecent language. —Sonaiya Kelleystaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Latin; Middle French indécent, from Latin indecent-, indecens, from in- + decent-, decens decent

First Known Use

circa 1587, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing indecent

• indecent assault
• indecent exposure

Kids Definition

indecent

adjective

in·​de·​cent (ˈ)in-ˈdēs-ənt 

: not decent or proper : coarse, vulgar

indecent language

indecently adverb