Outstandingly bad or shocking; remarkably unacceptable or appalling. Used to describe errors, behavior, or situations that are conspicuously wrong.
From Latin 'egregius,' originally meaning 'distinguished' or 'outstanding,' from 'ex-' (out of) + 'grex' (flock). Ironically, the word has undergone semantic deterioration, shifting from meaning 'remarkably good' to 'remarkably bad.'
Originally meant 'standing out from the flock' in a good way, but now it means standing out like a black sheep! Something egregious is so bad it can't hide in the crowd - it sticks out like a sore thumb in the worst possible way.
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