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”; license, -ous

Example Sentences

Monica dedicated her life to prayers for the salvation of her family, especially her disreputable and licentious son, Augustine.

From Washington Post • May 10, 2018

The gangster of the ’30s belonged to an era of licentious chaos.

From Slate • Sep. 1, 2017

But I also talked with people who used the app for less licentious reasons: to form platonic friendships, or to find companions while traveling abroad.

From New York Times • Feb. 13, 2015

In a heated exchange, DSK accused prosecutors of making exaggerated claims to paint him as a licentious figure.

From Time • Feb. 13, 2015

At that time, also, Robert Philipson, surnamed from his bold and licentious character, Robin the Devil, inhabited the island on Windermere, called Belle Isle.

From Bygone Cumberland and Westmorland by Scott, Daniel