lawful

[ law-fuhl ]

adjective

1. allowed or permitted by law; not contrary to law:

   a lawful enterprise.

   Synonyms: legal

2. recognized or sanctioned by law; legitimate:

   a lawful marriage; a lawful heir.

   Synonyms: licit

3. appointed or recognized by law; legally qualified:

   a lawful king.

4. acting or living according to the law; law-abiding:

   a lawful man; a lawful community.

lawful

/ ˈlɔːfʊl /

adjective

1. allowed, recognized, or sanctioned by law; legal

Derived Forms

• ˈlawfulness, noun
• ˈlawfully, adverb

Other Words From

• lawful·ly adverb
• lawful·ness noun
• pre·lawful adjective
• pre·lawful·ly adverb
• pre·lawful·ness noun
• quasi-lawful adjective
• quasi-lawful·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of lawful¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, lawful is from the Middle English word laghful. See law ¹, -ful

Example Sentences

At issue was whether the charge was a lawful fee or an illegal tax requiring two-thirds voter approval.

From Voice of San Diego

While the May explosions were lawful under a state government decision, Rio has been accused of failing to act on information that later showed the heritage sites had greater significance than first understood.

From Fortune

So by that nature you are serving the country by working for people that are duly elected and carrying out all their lawful orders that they have.

From Ozy

In an age of ubiquitous technology and strong encryption, such “lawful hacking” has emerged as a powerful tool for public safety when law enforcement needs access to data.

From MIT Technology Review

In May, the Supreme Court referred a judgment on a petition calling for the restoration of full service to a committee of government-appointed officials—in essence asking the government to decide whether or not its own actions were lawful.

From MIT Technology Review

“Before the end of the year I will take whatever lawful action I can take,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

It also makes the lawful carry of a firearm difficult during warmer months in Texas.

From The Daily Beast

The search-incident-to arrest power stopped merely keeping police safe when making lawful arrests.

From The Daily Beast

Because, they argued, any activity that is “unlawful” under federal law could not by definition be “lawful” under state law.

From The Daily Beast

“All lawful modes of expressing opposition ... had been closed by legislation,” he told the court.

From The Daily Beast

To give him a party name, he became an anti-clerical, strictly in a political and lawful sense.

From Project Gutenberg

What other channel, then, was open to the country through which to insist upon the recovery of its lawful rights?

From Project Gutenberg

Were it not lawful declarations concerning the manner of doing it would not be made.

From Project Gutenberg

It is the duty of a subject to swear allegiance to his lawful sovereign; at least he must stand prepared to do so when required.

From Project Gutenberg

It is dutiful for all who have the whole word of God, to use every lawful means in their power to make others know it.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• authorized
• constitutional
• justifiable
• legal
• permissible
• proper
• rightful
• statutory
• valid