licentious

American  

[lahy-sen-shuhs] / laɪˈsɛn ʃəs /

adjective

1. sexually unrestrained; lascivious; libertine; lewd.

2. unrestrained by law or general morality; lawless; immoral.

   Synonyms:

   profligate, abandoned

   Antonyms:

   lawful

3. going beyond customary or proper bounds or limits; disregarding rules.

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licentious British  

/ laɪˈsɛnʃəs /

adjective

1. sexually unrestrained or promiscuous

2. rare showing disregard for convention

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Other Word Forms

• licentiously adverb
• licentiousness noun
• nonlicentious adjective
• nonlicentiously adverb
• overlicentious adjective
• overlicentiously adverb
• unlicentious adjective
• unlicentiously adverb

Etymology

Origin of licentious

First recorded in 1525–35, licentious is from the Latin word licentiōsus “unrestrained”; license, -ous

Example Sentences

Japan and the West had different sexual mores, but Japan’s culture was not particularly licentious or permissive.

From Washington Post

The Rev. Mark A. Matthews, influential pastor of Seattle’s 10,000-strong First Presbyterian Church, lobbed an early slam, labeling Eddy’s teachings “blasphemous, immoral, licentious and murderous.”

From Seattle Times

It called on parents to help stop young people being "misled into adopting a reckless and licentious lifestyle, in search of worthless fame and success".

From BBC

And the public cycles incoherently through moods: denial, dread, a growing sense of panic; sudden gusts of piety, followed by gusts of licentious abandon.

From Los Angeles Times

Schlager came to its traditional themes as the antidote to the licentious western pop that infiltrated Germany after the war.

From The Guardian