vulgar
C1Formal; often negative or critical.
Definition
Meaning
lacking sophistication or good taste; indecent, offensive, or crude.
Referring to the ordinary people or common language (historical/technical use, as in 'vulgar Latin').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primary modern meaning is strongly pejorative (crude/offensive). The older, neutral meaning ('of the common people') is now rare and primarily historical/technical.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major difference in core meaning or usage. The historical/technical sense ('vulgar fraction') is slightly more retained in UK educational contexts.
Connotations
Equally strong negative connotation in both dialects for the main sense.
Frequency
Similar frequency; perhaps slightly more common in UK English in formal critique.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be/become/seem + vulgarconsider/find + something + vulgarvulgar + noun (display, joke, taste)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Vulgar fraction (mathematics, UK)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; may be used in critiques of branding or marketing considered in poor taste.
Academic
Used in cultural studies, art criticism, linguistics (e.g., Vulgar Latin), and history.
Everyday
Used to describe rude, offensive, or tasteless things or people.
Technical
In mathematics (vulgar fraction); in linguistics/philology (Vulgar Latin).
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The mansion's decor was considered rather vulgar by the old aristocracy.
- He told a vulgar joke at the dinner party.
American English
- She found the gold-plated fixtures vulgar and tacky.
- Using vulgar language in the workplace is unacceptable.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He used some vulgar words and got in trouble.
- She thought his new car was a bit vulgar.
- The comedian's act was criticised for its vulgar and offensive content.
- Displaying such wealth so openly is considered vulgar in some cultures.
- The critique dismissed the film as a vulgar exploitation of a serious subject.
- His attempt at flattery was so vulgar it achieved the opposite effect.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a VULGAR person yelling a VULnerable GARble of rude words.
Conceptual Metaphor
LOW STATUS IS LACK OF REFINEMENT (vulgar = low, common). DIRT/UNCLEANLINESS IS LACK OF MORAL/SOCIAL POLISH.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'вульгарный', which can sometimes imply 'simplistic' or 'reductionist' in academic contexts (e.g., 'вульгарный материализм'). The English 'vulgar' does not carry this meaning; use 'reductionist' or 'oversimplified'. The core meaning of 'crude/offensive' aligns.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean simply 'popular' or 'common' without negative judgement (archaic). Confusing it with 'villainous' or 'violent'.
- Incorrect: 'His vulgar opinion was shared by many.' (unless meaning 'crude') Correct: 'His vulgar jokes offended everyone.'
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'vulgar' have a NEUTRAL or technical meaning?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it can refer to sexually crude things, it broadly means lacking good taste or refinement, which can include ostentatious display, rude humour, or coarse language not specifically sexual.
Yes, but it is a strong, pejorative term implying they are crude, unrefined, or offensive. It can be considered elitist or snobbish.
A mathematical term (more common in UK English) for a common fraction where numerator and denominator are both integers (e.g., 3/4), as opposed to a decimal fraction.
'Vulgar' focuses on lack of sophistication/taste. 'Obscene' strongly emphasises offensiveness to morality, especially sexual. 'Profane' specifically refers to irreverence towards sacred things.