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Synonyms

lewd

American  
[lood] / lud /

adjective

lewder, lewdest

  1. inclined to, characterized by, or inciting to lust or lechery; lascivious.

  2. obscene or indecent, as language or songs; salacious.

  3. Obsolete.

    1. low, ignorant, or vulgar.

    2. base, vile, or wicked, especially of a person.

    3. bad, worthless, or poor, especially of a thing.

lewd British  
/ luːd /

adjective

  1. characterized by or intended to excite crude sexual desire; obscene

  2. obsolete

    1. wicked

    2. ignorant

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • lewdly adverb
  • lewdness noun

Etymology

Origin of lewd

First recorded before 900; Middle English leud, lewed, Old English lǣwede “lay, unlearned”

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.

Now, Santa-themed bar crawls and office holiday parties are outfitted with holiday-themed sweaters and sweatshirts, bringing the same energy as someone loudly interrupting a conversation to tell a lewd joke.

From Slate • Dec. 12, 2024

Speaking to the BBC outside, while some people described it as inappropriate or "lewd", many others, including those with young children, were relaxed about its presence.

From BBC • Sep. 20, 2024

On May 21, the university notified Gradoni of his interim suspension for violating campus policies on disruption and disorderly or lewd conduct, among others.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2024

The law forbids shipment of every "obscene, lewd, lascivious, indecent, filthy or vile article, matter, thing, device, or substance."

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2024

“Because you’re horrible. You’re loud and lewd and...treacherous. Brum warned us that Grisha could be charming.”

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo

Definitions 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.