lascivious

[luh-siv-ee-uhs]

adjective

1. inclined to lustfulness; wanton; lewd.

   a lascivious, girl-chasing old man.

2. arousing sexual desire.

   lascivious photographs.

3. indicating sexual interest or expressive of lust or lewdness.

   a lascivious gesture.

lascivious

/ ləˈsɪvɪəs /

adjective

1. lustful; lecherous

2. exciting sexual desire

Other Word Forms

• lasciviously adverb
• lasciviousness noun
• overlascivious adjective
• overlasciviously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of lascivious¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin lascīvi(a) “playfulness, wantonness” ( lascīv(us) “playful, wanton” + -ia noun suffix) + -ous; -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of lascivious¹

C15: from Late Latin lascīviōsus, from Latin lascīvia wantonness, from lascīvus

Example Sentences

"Nudity must be coupled with other circumstances that make the visual depiction lascivious or sexually provocative," Judge Olguin wrote, quoting from an earlier ruling.

From BBC

But it was as the lascivious, self-confident Frank-N-Furter that Curry made history.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, she taps into her core autonomy, leveraging it to bring a human depth even to the most lascivious characters.

From Salon

Goularte was arrested in February 2022 on suspicion of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor; however, a judge released him two days later.

From Los Angeles Times

Barreto-Hernandez is out of custody on bond and was charged with lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 years old and touching a person against their will for sexual arousal.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• indecent 
• lewd 
• pornographic 
• prurient 
• salacious 
• vulgar