lawful
Americanadjective
-
allowed or permitted by law; not contrary to law.
a lawful enterprise.
- Synonyms:
- legal
-
recognized or sanctioned by law; legitimate.
a lawful marriage; a lawful heir.
- Synonyms:
- licit
-
appointed or recognized by law; legally qualified.
a lawful king.
-
acting or living according to the law; law-abiding.
a lawful man; a lawful community.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of lawful
First recorded in 1250–1300, lawful is from the Middle English word laghful. See law 1, -ful
Explanation
When something's legal, or the rules allow it, you can call it lawful. It's lawful to plant a tree in your yard, but it's not lawful to dig up a tree in the city park. Things that are lawful are allowed or permitted, like driving after you've gotten your driver's license or baking your neighbor a cake. Neither of these things is prohibited by law, so they're lawful. You have a lawful right to build a cabin on land you own, and it's also lawful to put up a fence. The adjective comes from law, which has an Old English root, lagu, "ordinance, rule, regulation, or a district governed by them."
Vocabulary lists containing lawful
A Just Cause: Synonyms for "Fair"
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!
Ten Words related to Citizenship
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!
You Are Correct! Synonyms for "Right"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
“In any other situation, however, school officials should be polite and extend common courtesy, but should not assist with or permit enforcement activities on school grounds not required by lawful order.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026
"The defendant not only sought to obstruct the lawful execution of warrants by prosecutors and others," he said in his verdict.
From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026
The tech titan’s deal with the Defense Department essentially allows AI to be used in all lawful scenarios, a person familiar with the matter said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026
They claimed they had a lawful excuse, telling the court it was a peaceful protest and the damage was minor.
From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026
It presupposed a high level of military discipline and an awesome degree of obedience by subordinates to their lawful superiors It assumed that wars had a beginning and an end.
From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker
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.
