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Obscenity: meaning, definitions and examples

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obscenity

 

[əbˈsiːnɪti ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

inappropriate language

Obscenity refers to language or behavior that is offensive, vulgar, or inappropriate for a particular audience. It often involves explicit sexual content or profanity.

Synonyms

indecency, profanity, vulgarity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
obscenity

Use in situations involving extremely offensive language or behavior, typically of a sexual or disgusting nature.

  • His speech was filled with so much obscenity, it shocked everyone
indecency

Appropriate for describing actions or language that are not in line with societal standards of modesty or morals, often related to sexual matters.

  • She was fined for public indecency after participating in an obscene act in public
vulgarity

Best used when describing coarse or rude language or behavior that lacks sophistication, often socially or culturally inappropriate.

  • His vulgarity at the dinner table made everyone uncomfortable
profanity

Suitable for referring to language that includes swear words or other offensive terms, often used casually but can be deemed disrespectful.

  • The movie was full of profanity, so it's not suitable for children

Examples of usage

  • His speech was filled with obscenities that shocked the audience.
  • The use of obscenities in the workplace is not tolerated.
  • She was offended by the obscenity in the movie.
Context #2 | Noun

obscene act

Obscenity can also refer to an obscene act or gesture that is lewd or offensive.

Synonyms

indecency, lewdness, offensive gesture.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
obscenity

Obscenity, as mentioned earlier, applies to extremely offensive content, in particular with a sexual nature, typically in formal or legal contexts.

  • The artist was arrested for creating obscene artwork.
  • Obscenity laws vary significantly between countries.
lewdness

Lewdness indicates a vulgar, crude, or offensive sexual manner. This term is often used to describe unwanted sexual advances or behavior.

  • He faced charges for public lewdness.
  • The comedian's lewd jokes were not appreciated by everyone.
indecency

Indecency refers to behavior or material that is not appropriate or acceptable, especially in a sexual sense. This word is often used in legal terms and by authorities.

  • She was shocked by the indecency of his proposal.
  • The TV show was criticized for indecency.
offensive gesture

An offensive gesture generally refers to any physical motion or signal that is meant to insult or offend someone. This can be in sexual or non-sexual contexts.

  • He made an offensive gesture at the driver who cut him off.
  • The fans were ejected from the game for making offensive gestures towards the players.

Examples of usage

  • He was arrested for committing acts of obscenity in public.
  • The comedian's performance was criticized for its obscenities.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'obscenus', which means 'offensive' or 'obscene'.
  • It was first used in English in the late 14th century to describe something filthy or lewd.

Legal Aspects

  • In many countries, obscenity laws vary widely, reflecting different cultural norms about what is acceptable.
  • The U.S. Supreme Court has established tests for obscenity, famously articulated in the Miller Test, which assesses community standards.

Pop Culture

  • Certain songs, movies, and books have faced censorship due to their use of obscene language or themes.
  • The rise of the internet has led to debates about what constitutes obscenity and the impact of explicit content on society.

Psychology

  • Studies suggest that exposure to obscenity can influence social norms and attitudes toward sexuality and violence.
  • Reactions to obscene content can vary significantly between individuals based on personal beliefs and cultural background.

Literature

  • Many classic works of literature, like 'Tropic of Cancer' by Henry Miller, challenged obscenity laws upon publication.
  • Obscenity often appears in literature to portray the raw aspects of human experience and societal issues.

Translations

Translations of the word "obscenity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 obscenidade

🇮🇳 अश्लीलता

🇩🇪 Obszönität

🇮🇩 kecabulan

🇺🇦 непристойність

🇵🇱 nieprzyzwoitość

🇯🇵 猥褻

🇫🇷 obscénité

🇪🇸 obscenidad

🇹🇷 müstehcenlik

🇰🇷 음란

🇸🇦 فحش

🇨🇿 oplzlost

🇸🇰 neprístojnosť

🇨🇳 淫秽

🇸🇮 nespodobnost

🇮🇸 ósæmilegheit

🇰🇿 арсыздық

🇬🇪 უწმაწურობა

🇦🇿 ədəbsizlik

🇲🇽 obscenidad

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,286, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.