If you describe something as indecent, you mean that it is shocking and offensive, usually because it relates to sex or nakedness.
He accused Mrs Moore of making an indecent suggestion.
indecentlyadverb [ADVERB with verb, ADVERB adjective]
He behaved indecently.
...an indecently short skirt.
2. adjective
If you describe the speed or amount of something as indecent, you are indicating, often in a humorous way, that it is much quicker or larger than is usual or desirable.
The opposition says the legislation was drafted with indecent haste.
Synonyms: unbecoming, unsuitable, vulgar, improper More Synonyms of indecent
indecentlyadverb
...an indecently large office.
More Synonyms of indecent
indecent in British English
(ɪnˈdiːsənt)
adjective
1.
offensive to standards of decency, esp in sexual matters
2.
unseemly or improper (esp in the phrase indecent haste)
Derived forms
indecently (inˈdecently)
adverb
indecent in American English
(ɪnˈdisənt)
adjective
not decent
; specif.,
a.
not proper and fitting; unseemly; improper
b.
morally offensive; obscene
SIMILAR WORDS: imˈproper
Derived forms
indecently (inˈdecently)
adverb
Word origin
< Fr or L: Fr indécent < L indecens
Examples of 'indecent' in a sentence
indecent
It emerged that he has a conviction for indecent exposure.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
When he was arrested, police discovered he was sharing more than 30,000 indecent images online.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
We think there ought to be more indecent pictures painted.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
They did think five of the photos indecent.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Thousands of indecent images were found on his computer.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In contrast the funeral staff had indecent amounts of fun.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Football moves on with almost indecent haste.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
There could be no possible footage of us being part of something indecent.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They face up to a year in prison if convicted of indecent exposure.
The Sun (2012)
Sending indecent pictures online without consent of the recipient carries a maximum sixmonth sentence.
The Sun (2013)
It is possible an indecent photograph was sent.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
But let us not move with too indecent haste from one challenge to the next.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It concerns a man on trial for indecent exposure.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
With indecent haste, we both scrambled up to his bedroom.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Still the finger tugged at her, and there was something suddenly indecent in the gesture which revolted her.
various & introduction by Deirdre Chapman A Roomful of Birds - Scottish short stories 1990 (1990)
In other languages
indecent
British English: indecent ADJECTIVE
If you describe something as indecent, you mean that it is shocking and offensive.
He accused her of making an indecent suggestion.
American English: indecent
Brazilian Portuguese: indecente
Chinese: 下流的
European Spanish: indecente
French: indécent
German: unanständig
Italian: indecente
Japanese: みだらな
Korean: 상스러운
European Portuguese: indecente
Latin American Spanish: indecente
All related terms of 'indecent'
indecent images
An image is a picture of someone or something.
indecent assault
Indecent assault is the crime of attacking someone in a way which involves touching or threatening them sexually, but not forcing them to have sexual intercourse .
indecent behaviour
the offence of committing indecent acts
indecent exposure
Indecent exposure is a criminal offence that is committed when someone exposes their genitals in public.
indecent picture
A picture is a photograph.
Chinese translation of 'indecent'
indecent
(ɪnˈdiːsnt)
adj
[behaviour, suggestion, photo]下流的 (xiàliú de)
[haste]不合适(適)的 (bù héshì de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
morally or sexually offensive
She accused him of making indecent suggestions.
Synonyms
obscene
I'm no prude, but I think these photos are obscene.
lewd
The embattled mayor apologized for making lewd remarks to reporters.
dirty
He laughed at their dirty jokes.
blue
blue movies
offensive
the offensive smell of manure
outrageous
inappropriate
rude
He made a rude gesture with his finger.
gross
That's a disgusting thing to say – you're so gross!
foul
He was sent off for using foul language.
crude
a crude sense of humour
coarse
He has a very coarse sense of humour.
filthy
The play was full of filthy foul language.
vile
the vile smell of mouldy cheese
improper
pornographic
I found out he'd been watching pornographic videos.
salacious
a wildly salacious novel
impure
He was accused of having impure motives.
smutty
She said she detested smutty jokes.
immodest
Noni doesn't like the immodest outfits and dancing.
licentious
scatological
indelicate
Opposites
pure
,
decent
,
modest
,
delicate
,
respectable
2 (adjective)
Definition
unseemly or improper
The legislation was drafted with indecent haste.
Synonyms
unbecoming
Those involved had performed acts unbecoming of university students.
unsuitable
Amy's shoes were unsuitable for walking any distance.
vulgar
a TV show well known for its vulgar jokes
improper
The politicians denied any improper behaviour.
tasteless
a tasteless remark
unseemly
It would be unseemly for judges to receive pay increases.
undignified
All this public outpouring is so undignified.
disreputable
the noisiest and most disreputable bars
unrefined
discreditable
indelicate
She could not touch upon such an indelicate subject.