Meanings
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1
adj
coarsely vulgar or irreverently humorous, especially about sex
A ribald laugh broke the solemn silence of the hall.
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2
noun
a person who habitually uses vulgar or lewd language
The court dismissed him as a drunken ribald unfit for respectable company.
Thesaurus
Etymology
From Middle English ribald and Old French ribaud ("rogue, scoundrel"), related to riber ("to behave licentiously"). The noun for a disreputable person gave rise to the adjective for coarse, lewd humor or conduct.