Vulgarian

A 'vulgarian' refers to a person perceived as coarse, unrefined, and lacking in good taste, manners, or cultivation. They often display a preoccupation with wealth, status, or ostentatious displays of material possessions. The term implies a lack of sophistication and an emphasis on superficial qualities, sometimes combined with a boorish or insensitive nature. It suggests an insensitivity to aesthetics, subtlety, or the finer aspects of life, frequently leading to a conspicuous display of tasteless behavior. The word can also denote someone considered common or uncultured, not necessarily inherently malicious, but lacking in the refinement expected in social settings.

Vulgarian meaning with examples

• Despite his newfound riches, Mr. Thompson, the self-made millionaire, was often accused of being a vulgarian. His gaudy mansion, overflowing with expensive but mismatched furnishings, and his loud, often insensitive, public pronouncements, demonstrated a clear lack of refinement, regardless of his wealth. He constantly bragged about his exploits, never seeming to consider how others felt.
• The novel's protagonist, a young woman from an aristocratic family, viewed her nouveau riche fiancé as a vulgarian. His ostentatious spending, his constant boasting about his business successes, and his complete disregard for intellectual pursuits were all major turning points in her choice, in contrast to his gentle demeanor when with family.
• The art critic dismissed the newly acquired paintings as the product of a vulgarian. The works, with their garish colors and simplistic subjects, displayed a complete lack of artistic merit and a blatant attempt to cater to superficial tastes. He described them as crass commercial productions, devoid of aesthetic sensibility, an insult to the gallery's reputation.
• The dinner party quickly became uncomfortable when the host, a notorious vulgarian, began loudly criticizing the guests' attire and discussing his investment portfolios in excruciating detail. His lack of conversational skills and general disregard for social graces made for a very disappointing evening.