lawful

adjective

law·​ful ˈlȯ-fəl 

1

a

: being in harmony with the law

a lawful judgment

b

: constituted, authorized, or established by law : rightful

lawful institutions

2

: law-abiding

lawful citizens

lawfully

ˈlȯ-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

lawfulness

ˈlȯ-fəl-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• legitimate
• legal

Choose the Right Synonym for lawful

lawful, legal, legitimate, licit mean being in accordance with law.

lawful may apply to conformity with law of any sort (such as natural, divine, common, or canon).

the lawful sovereign

legal applies to what is sanctioned by law or in conformity with the law, especially as it is written or administered by the courts.

legal residents of the state

legitimate may apply to a legal right or status but also, in extended use, to a right or status supported by tradition, custom, or accepted standards.

a perfectly legitimate question about taxes

licit applies to a strict conformity to the provisions of the law and applies especially to what is regulated by law.

the licit use of drugs by doctors

Examples of lawful in a Sentence

a lawful search of the property

hunting is a lawful activity only if you have the proper license

Recent Examples on the Web

This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW. —Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025

After completing the two years, qualifying workers could apply for lawful permanent residency. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025

One reason for the lack of attention to the risk of elder abuse is that it is often assumed that tracking and monitoring older family members is lawful, even if perhaps ethically questionable. —Nina A. Kohn, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

But some members of the public who frequent committee meetings and floor sessions at the Capitol testified against the bill, arguing it could be used against lawful protestors. —Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for lawful

• awful
• offal
• waffle
• unlawful

Kids Definition

lawful

adjective

law·​ful ˈlȯ-fəl 

1

: permitted by law

lawful conduct

2

: recognized by law : rightful

the lawful owner

lawfully

-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

lawfulness

-fəl-nəs 

noun

Legal Definition

lawful

adjective

law·​ful

1

a

: being in harmony with the law

a lawful judgment

a lawful purpose

b

: constituted, authorized, or established by law

a lawful duty

2

: law-abiding

lawful citizens

lawfully adverb

lawfulness noun