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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Obscene: Meaning, Examples, and Usage Guide (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：offensively indecent (obscene)

obscene 🔊

/əbˈsiːn/

adj.

It describes things that are very rude, shocking, or sexual in a bad way, making people feel uncomfortable or offended.

Obscene content blocked warning on computer screen

offensively indecent 🔊

➕

/əˈfɛnsɪvli ɪnˈdiːsənt/

adj.

This meaning refers to something that is extremely offensive, especially related to sexuality, vulgarity, or violence, and is likely to shock or disgust people.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'obscenus' (ob- 'against' + caenum 'filth'), meaning offensively dirty.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'ob-scene': a scene so bad you object against it.

📖 Example

The school sent a letter to parents warning about the obscene content that some students might accidentally encounter online. 🔊 The school sent parents a letter to warn them about indecent material that students might stumble upon online.

🔗 Collocations

obscene language – vulgar or offensive words

obscene gesture – a rude hand sign

obscene material – content that is sexually explicit or grossly offensive

🔄 Synonyms

lewd (adj.) – crudely offensive in a sexual way

vulgar (adj.) – lacking good taste; crude

indecent (adj.) – offending against generally accepted standards of decency

🚫 Antonyms

decent (adj.) – conforming to standards of propriety

modest (adj.) – not excessive or extreme

proper (adj.) – suitable or appropriate

🌱 Derivatives

obscenely (adv.) – in an obscene manner

obscenity (n.) – offensive or indecent behavior or content

📖 Cultural Story

Originally meant 'ill-omened' in Latin, later shifted to 'lewd, indecent' in English. Used today for both sexual vulgarity and shocking excess.

Meaning 2：exorbitantly high (obscene)

obscene 🔊

/əbˈsiːn/

adj.

It describes an amount, like money, that is so huge it shocks people and seems unfair.

Obscene high price on luxury store receipt

exorbitantly high 🔊

➕

/ɪɡˈzɔːrbɪtəntli haɪ/

adj.

This meaning refers to an amount, especially of money, that is shockingly large and considered unfair or unreasonable.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

My friend couldn't believe the obscene price of the new smartphone, saying it was more than his monthly salary. 🔊 My friend was shocked by the exorbitant price of the new smartphone, commenting that it exceeded his monthly salary.

🔗 Collocations

obscene profit – unfairly large profit

obscene wealth – excessive riches

obscene amount – enormous quantity (often of money)

🔄 Synonyms

exorbitant (adj.) – much higher than reasonable

outrageous (adj.) – shockingly bad or excessive

scandalous (adj.) – shocking and unacceptable

🚫 Antonyms

reasonable (adj.) – within sensible limits

modest (adj.) – not large in amount

fair (adj.) – just and appropriate

🌱 Derivatives

obscenely (adv.) – in an obscene manner (also used for amounts)

obscenity (n.) – an extremely offensive or unfair thing