Word
raunchy
US/ˈɹɔntʃi/
UK/ɹˈɔːntʃi/
Definitions
01sexually explicit or rude
adj. describing something that is very sexual, often in a way that is meant to be funny or shocking.
adj. referring to content or behaviour that is sexually explicit, smutty, or indecent. Often used to describe comedy, films, or stories.
“The comedian told some raunchy jokes that made the audience blush.”
“The film received an adult rating due to its raunchy dialogue and several scenes of graphic nudity.”
Informal
Usage
Commonly used to describe media, jokes, or performances.
Teaching tip
While it implies indecency, it is often used in a lighthearted or pop-culture context rather than as a severe moral condemnation.
02sexually seductive
adj. looking or acting in a way that is very sexually attractive, often in a bold or loud way.
adj. exhibiting a bold, earthy, or provocative sexual attractiveness.
“She wore a raunchy outfit to the party to get everyone's attention.”
“The singer's raunchy stage persona was a calculated departure from her previously innocent image.”
Informal
Usage
Often describes a person's appearance or performance style.
Teaching tip
In this sense, it can be slightly more positive or admiring in a rebellious way, though still informal.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“The star, who shot to fame as foreign exchange student Nadia in the 1999 raunchy teen comedy, said she would show “the side of me that doesn’t make it into movies”.” Etymology
Of unknown etymology. Originally U.S. Army Air Corps slang; origins among cadets in Texas suggest a possible connection to Mexican Spanish rancho (see ranch), which had connotations of animal filth by 1864.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/raunchy