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”; see license, -ous

Explanation

Someone who is licentious behaves or speaks inappropriately, usually in regards to sex. What some might call a licentious senior citizen, others would simply refer to as "a dirty old man" (or woman). We usually talk about licentious behavior, but there also can be licentious photographs. Besides being inappropriate, licentious behavior is also usually regarded as immoral. If at all possible, therefore, licentious is a description you should seek to avoid for yourself.

Example Sentences

Last night, as my dear babe lay dead, Before mine eyes the vision spread Of things that might have been: Licentious riot, cruel strife, Forgotten prayers, a wasted life Dark red with sin!

From Love-Songs of Childhood by Field, Eugene

Chamberlains, this message take Licentious Xerxes from his virtuous queen: I do not fear his wrath.

From The Blood of Rachel A Dramatization of Esther, and other poems by Noe, Cotton

He introduced Henry and me to the United States Consul, and a roan man, the head of the Department of Mercenary and Licentious Dispositions, the way it read upon his sign.

From Cabbages and Kings by Henry, O.

Licentious railer, cease your foul invective, Nor patience press too far: but for that amity, In which we've liv'd, I cou'd not have endur'd Ev'n half of this unmerited ill-treatment.

From The Female Gamester A Tragedy by Howard, Gorges Edmond

Licentious and surly, wheedling and pilfering, selfish and a tippler, she clashed with the simple nature of Birotteau without offering him any compensating perspective.

From Rise and Fall of Cesar Birotteau by Balzac, Honoré de