different between unmentionable vs scandalous

English

Etymology

un- +? mentionable

Adjective

unmentionable (comparative more unmentionable, superlative most unmentionable)

1. Not mentionable

Derived terms

• unmentionables
• unmentionably

Translations

Noun

unmentionable (plural unmentionables)

1. Something not to be discussed in polite society.
   • 1995, Virginia Schroeder Burnham, William H. Hampton, Since Time Began (page 43)

     He was taught from childhood that the world does not condone homosexuality and that it is an unmentionable of decent people.

   • 2014, Andrew Hodges, Alan Turing: The Enigma (page 100)

     Here, after all, was the circle round which Forster passed the manuscript of his novel Maurice which conveyed so much about being 'an unmentionable of the Oscar Wilde sort'.

English

Etymology

From Medieval Latin scandalosus, via French scandaleuse; as if scandal + -ous.

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /?skænd?l?s/

Adjective

scandalous (comparative more scandalous, superlative most scandalous)

1. Wrong, immoral, causing a scandal
   • 1884, Mark Twain, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

     The thing made a big stir in the town, too, and a good many come out flatfooted and said it was scandalous to separate the mother and the children that way.

2. Malicious, defamatory.
   • 1592, Thomas Kyd, The Spanish Tragedie

     These be the scandalous reports of such / As loves not me, and hate my lord too much.

   • 1887, Marie Corelli, Thelma

     I always disregard gossip--it is generally scandalous, and seldom true.
3. Outrageous; exceeding reasonable limits.

Derived terms

• scandalously
• scandalousness

Translations