egregious
What does "egregious" mean?
The word "egregious" describes something that is extraordinarily bad, shocking, or flagrant. It carries the sense of a mistake or behavior so severe that it stands out from the rest—think of a glaring error on a professional report or a blatant violation of rules that is impossible to ignore. In modern usage, it is almost exclusively reserved for negative contexts, such as "an egregious error" or "egregious misconduct." While it historically meant "standing out from the flock" in a positive sense (like being remarkably good), that meaning is now archaic. Use it when you want to emphasize that a situation is not just wrong, but offensively or impressively wrong.
"egregious" in conversation
Workplace feedback
This report contains an egregious oversight regarding our budget projections.
This report contains an egregious oversight regarding our budget projections.
I am so sorry, I must have missed that line entirely.
I am so sorry, I must have missed that line entirely.
Used here to emphasize the severity of a professional mistake.
Discussing a movie
The plot holes in that sequel were truly egregious.
The plot holes in that sequel were truly egregious.
I agree, it felt like the writers didn't even try to maintain continuity.
I agree, it felt like the writers didn't even try to maintain continuity.
Used to describe a significant, glaring flaw in a creative work.
"egregious" in a sentence
The athlete made an egregious error during the final seconds of the game.
The athlete made an egregious error during the final seconds of the game.
The company was fined for its egregious disregard for safety regulations.
The company was fined for its egregious disregard for safety regulations.
His egregious lack of preparation for the presentation left the board members speechless.
His egregious lack of preparation for the presentation left the board members speechless.
