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Obscene refers to something that is offensive to accepted standards of decency, particularly in language or depiction. It is often used to describe material that is sexually explicit, gratuitously violent, or otherwise shocking. The definition of obscenity can be subjective and varies across cultures and legal jurisdictions.

Historically, laws and social norms have been developed to regulate obscene content, often with the aim of protecting public morality and vulnerable populations. What is considered obscene can change over time as societal values evolve.

In a legal context, obscenity is a specific category of speech that is not protected by freedom of expression guarantees in many countries. For material to be legally deemed obscene, it typically must meet a strict three-part test, such as the Miller test in the United States, which considers the average person's appeal to prurient interest, the depiction of sexual conduct in a patently offensive way, and a lack of serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

Beyond legal definitions, the term "obscene" is also used more broadly in everyday language to express strong disapproval of content perceived as vulgar, offensive, or morally reprehensible. This usage is less precise than the legal definition and reflects personal or community standards.