licentious

[ lahy-sen-shuhs ]

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.

licentious

/ laɪˈsɛnʃəs /

adjective

1. sexually unrestrained or promiscuous
2. rare.
   showing disregard for convention

Derived Forms

• liˈcentiously, adverb
• liˈcentiousness, noun

Other Words From

• li·cen·tious·ly adverb
• li·cen·tious·ness noun
• non·li·cen·tious adjective
• non·li·cen·tious·ly adverb
• o·ver·li·cen·tious adjective
• o·ver·li·cen·tious·ly adverb
• un·li·cen·tious adjective
• un·li·cen·tious·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of licentious¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of licentious¹

C16: from Latin licentiōsus capricious, from licentia licence

Example Sentences

For Shaftel this kind of licentious behavior amounts to “conspicuous consumption disguised as urbanity.”

From The Daily Beast

“Licentious and immoral practices seem to get great head amongst young people,” he preached.

From The Daily Beast

He also accuses Isabel of repeatedly trying to seduce him, although he supposedly refused to succumb to her licentious ways.

From The Daily Beast

And shame on Tiger, for another kind of promiscuity—the licentious use of his father.

From The Daily Beast

So strong were prejudices in favour of superficial morality in even that licentious age!

From Project Gutenberg

Mary Manley died; an English authoress, of considerable reputation as a writer, but of a wanton and licentious character.

From Project Gutenberg

Religion but too often forms licentious, immoral tyrants, obeyed by slaves who are obliged to conform to their views.

From Project Gutenberg

He had great advantages, but was banished by Augustus for his description of licentious love.

From Project Gutenberg

This severity was more than the licentious capital would endure.

From Project Gutenberg