lecherous
Americanadjective
-
given to or characterized by lechery; lustful.
-
erotically suggestive; inciting to lust.
lecherous photographs.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of lecherous
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English word from Middle French word lechereus. See lecher, -ous
Explanation
To be lecherous is to be full of strong sexual desire and to act on it, usually in an unpleasant way. People who are lecherous are kind of obsessed with sex — they can't stop thinking about it or having it. This is a word that is used more often to describe men than women: lecherous men are called lechers. There is also a creepy flavor to this word. If you describe someone as lecherous, it usually isn't a compliment. A common use is talking about a lecherous old man who hits on younger women.
Vocabulary lists containing lecherous
A Game of Thrones
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Novel Study: Brave New World, Chapters 7–12
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Simon Fraser is lecherous and mean-spirited, but he’s no Black Jack Randall.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2025
Everybody has in the back of their mind the idea of fauns as lecherous forest creatures or fairies as deceitful shape-shifters.
From The Verge ● Sep. 10, 2019
Even if his protagonists aren’t necessarily likable, he’s gifted at making them seem human — whether it’s a lecherous Southern California newscaster or the Mr. Burns of real-life political memory.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 20, 2018
Some, however, are concerned that the Weinstein saga is unfairly tarring men with the same brush of scandal — that those who might be considered merely lecherous are being conflated with predators.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 2, 2017
Shall we look to the sweater, the chattel-mortgage shark, the lecherous merchant, to reform themselves?
From White Slaves; or, the Oppression of the Worthy Poor by Louis Albert Banks
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
