Egregious: meaning, definitions and examples

The word 'egregious' comes from the Latin word 'egregius', which means 'distinguished' or 'eminent'. The original meaning in Latin was positive, used to describe one who stands out from the crowd for good reasons. However, over time the meaning shifted in English to take on a negative connotation, particularly in the 15th century, where it began to refer to actions or behaviors that were exceptional but in a bad way. The evolution of the term reflects a significant transformation in its acceptance from something praiseworthy to something deserving of condemnation. Today, it is often used in legal and informal contexts to highlight severe misdemeanors, ethical violations, or wrongful behaviors that are conspicuously bad.

Positioned at #20,566, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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• 20566 egregious
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