vulgar
gb/vˈʌlɡɚ/ us/vˈʌlɡɚ/
B2
English
~ 3600
ízléstelen, közönséges, otromba, trágár, obszcén, köznépi, népnyelvi
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is vulgar
His constant bragging about money seemed vulgar.
Ízléstelennek tűnt, hogy folyton a pénzével dicsekedett.
The movie was criticized for its vulgar humor.
A filmet ízléstelen humora miatt bírálták.
Wearing such flashy jewelry to a funeral is considered vulgar.
She found the host's jokes vulgar and offensive.
The painting was dismissed as vulgar by art critics.
Learner examples
That joke is vulgar.
Az a vicc ízléstelen.
The man made a vulgar comment.
A férfi ízléstelen megjegyzést tett.
Her dress looked vulgar at the wedding.
I think this song is vulgar.
He told a vulgar story.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'vulgar' with 'vulgar language' meaning profanity, but it can also mean generally lacking refinement or taste.
Meaning
Lacking sophistication or refinement
Collocations
vulgar language
|vulgar joke
|vulgar display
|vulgar behavior
|vulgar taste
Synonyms
crude (Implies roughness and lack of refinement, sometimes more physical than social.)
|
tasteless (Focuses on poor aesthetic judgment or style.)
Antonyms
refined (Suggests elegance and cultivated taste, the opposite of vulgar in social/aesthetic sense.)
|
elegant (Implies stylishness and grace in contrast to vulgarity.)
Themes
social_behavior
|aesthetics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not having good taste or style; not polite or elegant.
Lacking sophistication, good taste, or elegance; unrefined.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] uses vulgar language
The comedian was criticized for his vulgar language.
A humoristát trágár nyelvezete miatt bírálták.
Please avoid making vulgar remarks in the meeting.
Kérjük, az értekezleten kerülje a trágár megjegyzéseket.
He shouted a string of vulgar insults at the referee.
Children should not be exposed to vulgar expressions.
The book was banned for its vulgar dialogue.
Learner examples
He used vulgar words in class.
Trágár szavakat használt az órán.
That song has vulgar language.
Annak a dalnak trágár a szövege.
She made a vulgar joke.
Do not say vulgar things here.
The teacher warned us about using vulgar words.
Common mistake:
Learners may overgeneralize 'vulgar' to mean 'common' in all contexts, but here it specifically refers to offensive language.
Meaning
Using offensive or obscene words
Collocations
vulgar language
|vulgar remark
|vulgar expression
Synonyms
profane (Emphasizes disrespect toward religious or sacred things.)
|
obscene (Stronger than vulgar; often refers to explicit sexual or offensive content.)
Antonyms
polite (Refers to speech that is respectful and not offensive.)
|
clean (Describes language free from offensive words.)
Themes
communication
|social_behavior
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Using rude or bad words that may offend people.
Containing or using words that are rude, obscene, or offensive.
C1
FORMAL
3
In medieval times, Latin was used by scholars while the vulgar tongue was spoken by the common people.
A középkorban a tudósok latint használtak, míg a köznép a népnyelvet beszélte.
Some critics dismissed the novel as too vulgar to be considered serious literature.
Egyes kritikusok elutasították a regényt, mert túl közönségesnek tartották ahhoz, hogy komoly irodalomnak tekintsék.
The poet chose to write in the vulgar language so everyone could understand.
Learner examples
Long ago, people spoke the vulgar tongue.
Régen az emberek a népnyelvet beszélték.
He wrote in the vulgar language of the time.
A korabeli népnyelven írt.
The king spoke in Latin, not the vulgar tongue.
Common mistake:
Learners may mistake 'vulgar' here for 'rude', but historically it meant 'common' or 'ordinary'.
Meaning
Of the common people, not elite
Collocations
vulgar tongue
|vulgar version
Synonyms
common (Neutral term for ordinary people, but can be pejorative in some contexts.)
Antonyms
elite (Refers to a small group of people with high status or education.)
Themes
society
|core_vocabulary
|relationships
Definition
About ordinary people, not the rich or powerful; sometimes used in a negative way.
Relating to the ordinary people in society, often contrasted with the educated or elite; now rare in neutral use and often pejorative.
Grammar
Dictionary form
vulgar
IPA
GB/vˈʌlɡɚ/
US/vˈʌlɡɚ/
Syllables & stress
vul - gar (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (vul)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: vulgar
Word family
Core family
vulgarity
noun
vulgarly
adverb
Related words
vulgarize
verb
Advanced or less common
vulgarization
noun
vulgarism
noun
Expressions
in the vulgar tongue
1/ˈɪn ðə vˈʌlɡɚ tˈʌŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
In the language of ordinary people (historical)
In the everyday language that most people spoke long ago.
Examples
- The poem was written in the vulgar tongue so more people could read it.
- Religious texts were translated into the vulgar tongue for wider understanding.
vulgar joke
1/vˈʌlɡɚ d͡ʒˈoʊk/
fixed phrase
Offensive or obscene joke
A joke that uses rude or bad words or ideas.
Examples
- He told a vulgar joke at the party.
- That TV show is full of vulgar jokes.
vulgar language
1/vˈʌlɡɚ lˈæŋɡwɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
Language with rude or obscene words
Words that are rude or bad and may upset people.
Examples
- The movie contains a lot of vulgar language.
- Please avoid using vulgar language in front of children.