1
a
: obscene, vulgar
lewd remarks
b
: sexually unchaste or licentious (see licentious sense 1)
lewd behavior
2
obsolete : evil, wicked
lewdly adverb
lewdness noun

Examples of lewd in a Sentence

He made lewd remarks to the woman at the bar. bystanders were shocked by the lewd behavior of the couple in the park
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Concerned parents stepped in to stop a stranger accused of committing lewd acts near children at a city park, police in Mississippi said. Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025 He was detained at the time for suspicion of lewd acts on a child, prosecutors said. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 1 June 2025 Lyon, 31, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to four counts of lewd acts on a child and admitted to other allegations, according to Deputy District Attorney Jodi Breton. City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2025 On May 27, Santos was arrested at his home and booked into the Sonoma County Jail on charges of lewd acts against a dependent adult by a caretaker, police said. Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 28 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for lewd

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lewed vulgar, from Old English lǣwede laical, ignorant

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of lewd was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lewd. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

lewd

adjective
1
: showing interest in sex in a rude manner
lewd behavior
2
: indecent
lewd remarks
lewdly adverb
lewdness noun

Legal Definition

lewd

adjective
: involving or being sexual conduct that is considered indecent or offensive : licentious
convicted of lewd and lascivious assault upon a childNational Law Journal
lewdly adverb
lewdness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on lewd

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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