Words / C2

TURP-it-yood/ˈtɜːpɪtjuːd/

Turpitude is wickedness, especially in the set phrase moral turpitude (formal / legal): an act of turpitude, moral turpitude. Wickedness is everyday; heinous (already in the dictionary) is the adjective of extreme wickedness. A peccadillo (already in the dictionary) is the opposite scale — a minor fault. Do not file a leaked embargo as a branding slip.

Meaning

Wickedness; grossly immoral behaviour (formal: moral turpitude).

Examples

• “Leaking draft grades is turpitude, not “robust debate”.”
• “Wickedness is everyday. Vice is looser. Heinous is shockingly wicked (already in C2). A peccadillo is a small fault (already in C2). Biscuits in the wrong tin can be a peccadillo. A leak of drafts is not debate. Name the breach; do not shrink it for comfort.”

Good to know

Base wickedness (formal). Everyday: wickedness. Close adjective: heinous (already in C2). Opposite scale: peccadillo (already in C2). A leak is not a slip.

Near in meaning

wickedness

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