risqué
Pushing propriety's boundaries
Risqué describes something slightly indecent or sexually suggestive—enough to raise eyebrows but not cause genuine shock: a risqué joke, risqué photos.
The word implies titillation rather than obscenity, often with a sense of playful boundary-pushing.
It retains its French accent and pronunciation.
Pleasurably stimulating, often sensually
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
- suggestiveHinting at impropriety
- racyMildly indecent in content
- saucyBoldly disrespectful, often playfully
naughty · cheeky · flirtatious · teasing · coquettish · alluring · seductive · tantalizing
Obscenely sexual
- obsceneGrossly offensive to decency
- vulgarCrude or indecent
- salaciousLewdly interested in intimacy
- smuttyObscene or indecent
raunchy · explicit · dirty · crude · off-color · blue · ribald · coarse
Morally offensive or shocking
- forbiddenNot allowed
- shockingCausing intense surprise
- controversialCausing public dispute
- transgressiveViolating accepted boundaries
boundary-pushing · outrageous · provocative · edgy · daring · bold · audacious · defiant
Live entertainment venue
- burlesqueExaggerated mockery or risqué variety
- stripteaseSeductive gradual undressing
- vaudevilleTheatrical variety entertainment
- showgirlTheatrical revue dancer
lingerie · pinup · boudoir · cheesecake · fan-dance · pasties · can-can
titillating
Pleasurably stimulating, often sensually
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
- suggestiveHinting at impropriety
- racyMildly indecent in content
saucy · naughty · cheeky · flirtatious · teasing · coquettish · alluring · seductive · tantalizing · spicy
lewd
Obscenely sexual
smutty · raunchy · explicit · dirty · crude · off-color · blue · ribald · coarse · indelicate
scandalous
Morally offensive or shocking
- forbiddenNot allowed
- shockingCausing intense surprise
- controversialCausing public dispute
transgressive · boundary-pushing · outrageous · provocative · edgy · daring · bold · audacious · defiant · subversive
cabaret
Live entertainment venue
- burlesqueExaggerated mockery or risqué variety
- stripteaseSeductive gradual undressing
- vaudevilleTheatrical variety entertainment
showgirl · lingerie · pinup · boudoir · cheesecake · fan-dance · pasties · can-can
risquéG-rated
Appropriate for children
family-friendly · kid-friendly · PG · sanitized · squeaky-clean
risquéVictorian
Of a prim era
straitlaced · straightlaced · puritanical · prudish · priggish
risk, risky, risked, risking, riskiness, risk-free, riskiest, riskier, riskily