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ribald

ribald

3 9.5
Speech or behavior that is rude about sex to make people laugh
  • adjective
  • /ˈrɪbəld/
  • Offensive
: soez
  • The comedian's ribald jokes had the audience laughing uncontrollably.
  • often ribald

He ended up getting work with Playboy, where he worked had a column, a ribald classics.

Examples

  • You once asked me if I could... ...supply you with a ribald piece of gossip.

  • I wore a top hat and tails and sang ribald songs.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Someone had probably just finished telling some joke or ribald story, he decided.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • I could hear his progress toward the kitchen, marked by shouted congratulations, ribald questions, and advice.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Mr. Noyes... ...do you have a ribald piece of gossip for me?

  • I have a more ribald sense of humor than average, though, so that may be a mitigating factor.

    Blog text (11)
  • Some of the men seemed to go out of their way to devise ribald lyrics to discomfit me.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • A little ribald humor?

    Fiction book (2001)
  • A toothless woman sings the last line of a ribald bar song in a filthy place with sawdust on the floor.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Even Antigonus, who had always amused him, began to shred his nerves with his collection of ribald jokes.

    Fiction book (1998)

Synonyms

crude
vsribald
  • Offensive
52 5.1

Being rude and offensive, often about sex

is usually more for comic effect and openly indecent
vulgar
vsribald
  • Offensive
52 6.5

Being rude and indecent in words or behaviour

is often more humorous and intentionally coarse rather than only tasteless
racy
vsribald
  • NSFW
18 7.9

Slightly shocking because it talks about sex in a rude or funny way

is coarser and more openly indecent rather than merely suggestive
raunchy
vsribald
  • Offensive
17 8.6

Content about sex that is rude and shocking

is more generally coarse and humorous rather than explicitly sexual
off-color
vsribald
  • Offensive
10 7.7

Slightly rude or indecent in a way meant to be funny

is stronger, coarser, and more openly indecent than slightly rude
bawdy
vsribald
  • NSFW
9 9.3

Talking about sex in a funny or rude way

is broader, meaning coarse or indecent humor not only sexual
risque
vsribald
  • NSFW
7 7.7

A little impolite because it talks about sex, often in a funny or daring way

is harsher and more openly offensive rather than merely suggestive

Antonyms

1 2.7

Modest in behavior or dress so it does not seem sexual

How Vulgar

obscene
  • Offensive
27 5.7
lewd
  • Offensive
33 7.4
vulgar
  • Offensive
52 6.5
ribald
  • Offensive
3 9.5
coarse
  • Offensive
16 4.2

Surface Forms

ribald positive

Etymology

Ribald comes from the Old French word ribaud, a person known for 'rude' and 'crude' talk. That's why ribald describes speech or jokes that are rough, vulgar, or meant to shock people for a laugh.