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Definition of indecent adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

indecent

adjective
 
/ɪnˈdiːsnt/
 
/ɪnˈdiːsnt/
 (disapproving)
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  1. (of behaviour, talk, etc.) thought to be morally offensive, especially because it involves sex or wearing no clothes
    • indecent conduct/photos
    • He made an indecent suggestion to me.
    compare decentTopics Personal qualitiesc2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • seem
    • consider something
    • …
    adverb
    • grossly
    • positively
    • almost
    • …
    See full entry
  2. (of clothes) showing parts of the body that are usually covered
    • Those shorts are positively indecent.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • seem
    • consider something
    • …
    adverb
    • grossly
    • positively
    • almost
    • …
    See full entry
  3. not appropriate or suitable
    • They left the funeral with almost indecent haste (= too quickly).
    • The rush to get hold of their father's money seemed positively indecent.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • seem
    • consider something
    • …
    adverb
    • grossly
    • positively
    • almost
    • …
    See full entry
    4. Word Originlate 16th cent.: from French indécent or Latin indecent-, from in- ‘not’ + decent- ‘being fitting’ (from the verb decere).
See indecent in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
Check pronunciation: indecent

Nearby words

ripple effect
noun
 
 
From the Topic
Change, cause and effect
C2
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