off-color
Not quite proper
Off-color describes something slightly improper or risqué, usually jokes or remarks with sexual or crude undertones: His off-color humor didn't go over well at the office party.
The term suggests mild indecency rather than outright vulgarity.
In a separate sense, off-color means slightly wrong in hue or looking unwell: She's been off-color since yesterday.
Hinting at impropriety
- bawdyHumorously indecent
- ribaldVulgarly amusing
- raunchyCrudely sexual in nature
- bluePrimary color; also sad
smutty · racy · spicy · naughty · crude · lewd · salacious · dirty
Humorously indecent
raunchy · tasteless · inappropriate · edgy · crass · vulgar · indelicate · risqué
suggestive
Hinting at impropriety
blue · smutty · racy · spicy · naughty · crude · lewd · salacious · dirty · indecent
bawdy
Humorously indecent
blue · raunchy · tasteless · inappropriate · edgy · crass · vulgar · indelicate · risqué · salty
sickly
Prone to poor health
sallow · pale · feverish · queasy · nauseous · bilious · green · ashen · pasty · washed-out
muted
Made quieter or softer
- dullLacking edge or interest
- washed-outLacking original vibrancy
- fadedLost original color
dingy · yellowed · bleached · tarnished · stained · muddy · grayed · pale · lackluster · flat
- Color Idiomsblack sheep, blue moon, green light, red flag, white lie
- risquerisque, racy, bawdy, ribald, suggestive
- vulgarcrude, crass, coarse, vulgar, rude
- vulgarityvulgar humor, crude, crass, coarse, obscene
- color defectsdiscoloration, oversaturation, desaturation, washed out, posterization
- funnyfunny, comical, hilarious, humorous, amusing