Sordides

Sordides is the plural form of the French adjective sordide, used to describe things that are morally repugnant, degraded, or physically dirty. It applies to actions, situations, or environments when the speaker judges them as base, scandalous, or particularly unpleasant. Common collocations include mœurs sordides, affaires sordides, and conditions sordides. While it can describe places, the term carries a strong evaluative charge and is more typical of literary, journalistic, or critical contexts than everyday speech.

Etymology: The word originates in Old French sordide, from Latin sordidus meaning dirty, filthy, or base. The sense has extended from literal dirt to moral corruption, enabling its broader figurative use.

Usage notes: Sordide is a strong, condemnatory term that signals disapproval beyond mere dirtiness. It can describe acts, rumors, or atmospheres, and is not generally employed for neutral or flattering descriptions. The feminine singular form is sordide, with the plural concording to the noun (for example, des mœurs sordides, des rumeurs sordides). The noun form is rare; speakers typically rely on the adjective in practice.

Related terms: sordide as an adjective; common expressions include mœurs sordides and affaires sordides. It contrasts with milder descriptors such as dégoûtant or ignoble, signaling a higher degree of moral or material filth.