vulgar

Everyday

1. Vulgar means rude and crude, especially about the body or toilet. tree →
2. Vulgar means lacking good taste; showy and cheap-looking. tree →
3. (maths, UK, old) A vulgar fraction is a common fraction written with a top and bottom number, like 3/4. tree →
4. Vulgar can also mean common or everyday, the ordinary name people use for something rather than a formal one. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life «vulgar language» or «vulgar jokes» are rude and not suitable for school. In maths (older UK books) «vulgar fraction» means a fraction like 2/5, as opposed to a decimal fraction. In stories, a vulgar person may be loud and showy.

Examples

• Please don't tell vulgar jokes in class. tree →
• He was told off for using vulgar language. tree →
• The huge gold car looked rather vulgar. tree →
• Write 0.75 as a vulgar fraction: 3/4. tree →
• Some people think shouting in a restaurant is vulgar. tree →
• The old book called simple fractions «vulgar fractions». tree →
• [455] Popovskie, from pop, the vulgar name for a priest, the Greek +pappas+. tree →

Note

Noun: vulgarity. In maths, «vulgar fraction» = common fraction (numerator over denominator); a «proper» vulgar fraction is less than 1. Calling something vulgar is a strong criticism.