adjective
obscene
uhb-SEEN
adjective
1
Offensive to accepted standards of decency, often in a sexual way.
"The film was banned for its obscene content."
2
Shockingly excessive.
"The company posted an obscene profit while cutting staff pay."
How to Use Obscene
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDeeply offensive or indecent, or shockingly over-the-top.
Common pairings
obscene language
obscene amount of money
Word Forms
obscener comparative, more obscene comparative, obscened past tense, obscenes singular, obscenest superlative, most obscene superlative
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Etymology
From Latin obscenus, "disgusting, indecent," of uncertain further origin.