Skip to content

indécent

indecent, improper

adjective an-deh-SAHN Rare

Origin: From Latin 'indecens'.

Usage Note

Indécent describes behaviour, language, or dress that violates standards of decency or propriety; it is more formal than choquant (shocking) or vulgaire. The feminine form is indécente. The related noun is l'indécence and the adverb is indécemment. In a milder, ironic sense it can describe something outrageously excessive: une chance indécente ('an obscene amount of luck').

Examples

"Sa remarque était franchement indécente."

Natural Translation

His remark was frankly indecent.

Free starter pack

Building your French vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common French words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Explore French by topic