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vulgar

In modern English, "vulgar" is most often used to describe things that are rude or offensive, especially when talking about language. It can also be used to describe a lack of taste or class, such as someone who spends money in a way that seems 'showy' or unrefined. When you see it used in history books (like "the vulgar tongue"), it doesn't mean rude; it simply means the language spoken by ordinary people rather than the formal language used by scholars.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon; Jessica is frantically organizing the boardroom for a client visit.
Mr. Sterling

The gold-plated staplers are just too vulgar, don't you think?

Mr. Sterling
Jessica
Jessica

I'm losing it. Please just pick a color so I can wrap this up.

💡
Mr. Sterling uses 'vulgar' to describe the lack of taste/sophistication in over-the-top luxury items. Jessica uses the idiom 'losing it' to express her extreme stress and near-breakdown, and the phrasal verb 'wrap this up' meaning to finish a task.

Meanings

adjective

Lacking sophistication or good taste; unrefined.

"The nouveau riche were often criticized for their vulgar displays of wealth."

adjective

Coarse, crude, or offensive in terms of language or behavior.

"He was reprimanded for using vulgar language during the meeting."

adjective

Common or widespread; relating to the ordinary people (archaic).

"The text was translated from Latin into the vulgar tongue so that everyone could understand it."

Last Updated: May 22, 2026Report an Error