lascivious

adjective

las·​civ·​i·​ous lə-ˈsi-vē-əs How to pronounce lascivious (audio)
: filled with or showing sexual desire : lewd, lustful
lascivious acts/thoughts
arrested for lewd and lascivious assault
… crude and lascivious remarks …John Nichols
He is every woman's worst nightmare: the lascivious shark in a gold chain, loud sport shirt and polyester suit …Susan Schindehette et al.
lasciviously adverb
His show always began with Benny in a public park leering lasciviously at a bevy of young beauties … Gyles Brandreth
lasciviousness noun
… he satirized the contrived unions favored by upper society, exposing the greed, corruption, and lasciviousness with which they were permeated. Harvey Rachlin

Examples of lascivious in a Sentence

He was arrested for lewd and lascivious behavior. was criticized for making lascivious remarks that offended many in the group
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Urias was booked into the St. Lucie County jail on counts that included lewd and lascivious behavior, burglary, possession of marijuana and battery of a law enforcement officer. Wpec Staff, Baltimore Sun, 4 Dec. 2024 Joe Urias was arrested on charges of lewd and lascivious behavior, burglary of an unoccupied structure, marijuana possession and battery on an officer, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by PEOPLE. Christine Pelisek, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024 The Victorian-era Comstock Act is a law that prohibits sending lewd or lascivious material, like pornography, or any material intended for producing abortions, like the drug mifepristone, through the mail. Hannah Gaskill, Baltimore Sun, 11 Nov. 2024 The results can be hilarious, as when Costanzo’s lower register pours out of Venturi, who swaggers and stamps her way across the stage as the lascivious Count Almaviva, a femme form joyously channeling ridiculous machismo. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lascivious 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin lasciviosus, from Latin lascivia wantonness, from lascivus wanton — more at lust entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lascivious was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near lascivious

Cite this Entry

“Lascivious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lascivious. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

lascivious

adjective
las·​civ·​i·​ous lə-ˈsiv-ē-əs How to pronounce lascivious (audio)
lasciviously adverb
lasciviousness noun

Legal Definition

lascivious

adjective
las·​civ·​i·​ous lə-ˈsi-vē-əs How to pronounce lascivious (audio)
: reflecting or producing sexual desire or behavior especially that is considered indecent or obscene
lewd and lascivious behavior

More from Merriam-Webster on lascivious

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