obsceneob‧scene /əbˈsiːn/ ●○○ adjective 
Bradford made an obscene gesture. obscene phone calls (=calls from an unknown person saying obscene things) obscene photographs2extremely unfair, immoral, or unpleasant, especially in a way that makes you angry: Some players earn obscene amounts of money. an obscene act of cruelty—obscenely adverb
WORD ORIGINobscene
Origin:
1500-1600 Old French, Latin obscenusEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- 'Lady Chatterley's Lover' was banned as an obscene book.
- He was charged with smuggling obscene materials into the UK.
- The driver cursed at him and made an obscene gesture.
- This guy's thighs were so huge, it was obscene!
- You wouldn't believe the obscene profits these oil companies are making.
- Indeed, the advent of such a figure on the scene of history renders sacrifices unnecessary, if not actually obscene.
- It glistens, pinky-brown, faintly obscene, on her finger.
- Making $ 10 million or $ 15 million or $ 20 million for a movie is obscene.
- She stomped around the room with a wastepaper basket, collecting the obscene dolls.
- The kids standing on the seats to cast shadows of rabbits, donkeys, or obscene gestures up on to the gigantic screen.
- The long legs parted as the pale blue water took her, like an obscene gesture at Liz.
- They got hot under their starched collars about an obscene profusion of textual practices.
Longman Language Activatorbooks, jokes, remarks etc that are about sex and are offensive
obscene words or pictures are about sex and are very offensive: · 'Lady Chatterley's Lover' was banned as an obscene book.· He was charged with smuggling obscene materials into the UK.
informal dirty books, jokes, films etc are about sex - use this especially to show that you think these are unpleasant: · They just sit around telling dirty jokes - it's very boring.· He used to keep a collection of dirty books hidden under his bed.
clothes that are indecent show parts of the body that are usually covered; actions or movements that are indecent are sexual, but in a way many people think is not pleasant or acceptable: · You can't wear that dress to the dinner party -- it's positively indecent!· Models were forced into all sorts of indecent poses for the camera.
lewd remarks or behaviour show that the person saying them or doing something is thinking about sex, and they are usually offensive: · "Say no more!'' he grinned, giving her a lewd wink.· Although his jokes were a little lewd, he always made us laugh.
informal films, jokes etc that are blue are about sex and usually use offensive language: · I found the kids watching a blue movie on the video last night.· Her jokes are too blue for most audiences.
showing or describing sexual acts in a very offensive way: · The magazine printed filthy pictures that shocked everyone.
American jokes, stories, remarks etc that are off-color talk about sex in a way that is not acceptable in a particular situation: · He occasionally tells an off-color joke, but his image is practically that of a saint.
informal books, stories, films etc that are about sex - use this when you strongly disapprove of this: · There's too much violence and smut on TV these days.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Bradford made an obscene gesture. obscene phone calls (=calls from an unknown person saying obscene things)COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1relating to sex in a way that is shocking and offensive: Bradford made an obscene gesture. obscene phone calls (=calls from an unknown person saying obscene things) (=extremely rude)· The player was fined for making an obscene gesture at the referee.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· The present-day Faust smirked over towards the Professor and made an obscene gesture.· The rest are elbows delivered, punches thrown, verbally abusing referees, skipping All-Star media day, obscene gestures, tantrum-throwing.· The long legs parted as the pale blue water took her, like an obscene gesture at Liz.· Maxham held up two fingers in an obscene gesture.
· Sean Pierce of Fort Smith, Arkansas, was charged with violating a law banning the public display of obscene material.· Although many experienced users think it unlikely that children would easily find explicitly obscene material, it is not impossible.· A limited defence is provided by the Obscene Publications Act for those defendants who act merely as innocent disseminators of obscene material.· Later more obscene material was seized in a police raid on his home.· Customs and Excise men investigating the import of obscene material swooped on the home of bearded Paul Bradburn.· Trading standards warn that the law will be vigorously enforced to keep illegal and obscene material out of circulation.· Peter Righton has been summonsed to appear in court next month to face allegations concerning obscene material.
· From the early days Kylie was plagued by obscene phone calls and hate mail.· Probably a woman trying to avoid obscene phone calls.· The hate campaign began again, including obscene phone calls.
Bradford made an obscene gesture. obscene phone calls (=calls from an unknown person saying obscene things) obscene photographs2extremely unfair, immoral, or unpleasant, especially in a way that makes you angry: Some players earn obscene amounts of money. an obscene act of cruelty—obscenely adverb