Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Given to the use of vulgar, coarse, or abusive language.
  • adjective Expressed in vulgar, coarse, or abusive language.
  • adjective Of a malicious or slanderous nature; defamatory.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Using or given to the use of low and indecent language; scurril; indecently or grossly abusive or railing.
  • Containing low indecency or abuse; foul; vile: as, scurrilous language.
  • Opprobrious; abusive; offensive.
  • Synonyms Ribald, blackguard, indecent, coarse, vulgar, gross.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Using the low and indecent language of the meaner sort of people, or such as only the license of buffoons can warrant.
  • adjective Containing low indecency or abuse; mean; foul; vile; obscenely jocular.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective of a person given to vulgar verbal abuse; foul-mouthed
  • adjective of language coarse, vulgar, abusive, or slanderous

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective expressing offensive reproach

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Latin scurrilis ("buffoon-like"), from scurra ("a buffoon").

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Examples

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Comments

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  • antonym: decent

    August 13, 2007