lewd

adjective

ˈlüd 

1

a

: obscene, vulgar

lewd remarks

b

: sexually unchaste or licentious (see licentious sense 1)

lewd behavior

2

obsolete : evil, wicked

lewdly adverb

lewdness noun

Synonyms

• bawdy
• blue
• coarse
• crude
• dirty
• filthy
• foul
• gross
• gutter
• impure
• indecent
• lascivious
• locker-room
• nasty
• obscene
• pornographic
• porny
• profane
• raunchy
• ribald
• smutty
• stag
• trashy
• unprintable
• vulgar
• wanton
• X-rated

Examples of lewd in a Sentence

He made lewd remarks to the woman at the bar.

bystanders were shocked by the lewd behavior of the couple in the park

Recent Examples on the Web

Rosenthal also engaged in lewd chats with a Vacaville teen, and expressed an interest in young girls throughout his texts. —Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024

The comedian compared Trump’s recent false claims about Haitian immigrants eating pets in Ohio to his lewd comments in the tape. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 30 Oct. 2024

On Thursday, Mester was arrested again and booked on suspicion of two counts of lewd acts with a minor between 14 and 15 as well as two counts of attempting to meet a minor for lewd purposes. —Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024

Robinson denied making the lewd comments and vowed to stay in the race. —Alexandra Banner, CNN, 20 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lewed vulgar, from Old English lǣwede laical, ignorant

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

lewd

adjective

ˈlüd 

1

: showing interest in sex in a rude manner

lewd behavior

2

: indecent

lewd remarks

lewdly adverb

lewdness noun

Legal Definition

lewd

adjective

ˈlüd 

: involving or being sexual conduct that is considered indecent or offensive : licentious

convicted of lewd and lascivious assault upon a child

—National Law Journal

lewdly adverb

lewdness noun