risque
A bit blue
Risqué describes something slightly indecent or sexually suggestive—provocative enough to raise eyebrows but not explicit enough to shock.
A risqué joke pushes boundaries; a risqué outfit reveals more than expected: Her risqué comments made some guests uncomfortable.
The word implies titillation rather than true offense, suggesting material that's daring but not obscene.
Vulgarly amusing
- lewdObscenely sexual
- salaciousLewdly interested in intimacy
- obsceneGrossly offensive to decency
- vulgarCrude or indecent
raunchy · smutty · coarse · earthy · scatological · crude · crass · boorish
Cultural or social prohibition
- boundary-pushingExceeding accepted limits
- scandalousMorally offensive or shocking
- shockingCausing intense surprise
- controversialCausing public dispute
outrageous · provocative · daring · bold · audacious · indecent · improper · forbidden
Boldly disrespectful, often playfully
- cheekyPlayfully disrespectful
- naughtyMildly disobedient
- coquettishPlayfully alluring in manner
- playfulInclined toward fun
mischievous · impish · pert · arch · forward · brazen · sassy · provocative
Oblique disparaging remark
- double-entendreWords with suggestive second meaning
- insinuationIndirect, usually negative suggestion
- hintIndirect suggestion
- implicationIndirect suggestion or consequence
allusion · veiled · coy · teasing · wink · nudge · sly · titillating
Of bodily pleasure
- steamyHot, moist, or erotic
- sultryHot, humid, or alluring
- sexyPhysically arousing
- passionateIntensely emotional or enthusiastic
torrid · carnal · amorous · lustful · lascivious · libidinous · prurient · titillating
ribald
Vulgarly amusing
vulgar · raunchy · smutty · coarse · earthy · scatological · crude · crass · boorish · off-color
taboo
Cultural or social prohibition
- boundary-pushingExceeding accepted limits
- scandalousMorally offensive or shocking
- shockingCausing intense surprise
controversial · outrageous · provocative · daring · bold · audacious · indecent · improper · forbidden · unmentionable
saucy
Boldly disrespectful, often playfully
- cheekyPlayfully disrespectful
- naughtyMildly disobedient
- coquettishPlayfully alluring in manner
playful · mischievous · impish · pert · arch · forward · brazen · sassy · provocative · kittenish
innuendo
Oblique disparaging remark
- double-entendreWords with suggestive second meaning
- insinuationIndirect, usually negative suggestion
- hintIndirect suggestion
implication · allusion · veiled · coy · teasing · wink · nudge · sly · titillating · tantalizing
sensual
Of bodily pleasure
passionate · torrid · carnal · amorous · lustful · lascivious · libidinous · prurient · titillating · arousing
- French Loanwordsa la carte, ballet, a la mode, au revoir, bon appetit
- borrowed wordschic, naive, passe, avant-garde, faux
- assuranceassurance, assure, prime, franchise, attestation
- risqueracy, bawdy, ribald, suggestive, lewd
- seductionseduction, seductive, allure, beguilement, enticement
- sexualizedsexualized, erotica, pornographic, explicit, provocative