lascivious

adjective

las·​civ·​i·​ous lə-ˈsi-vē-əs How to pronounce lascivious (audio)
: filled with or showing sexual desire : lewd, lustful
lascivious acts/thoughts
arrested for lewd and lascivious assault
… crude and lascivious remarks …John Nichols
He is every woman's worst nightmare: the lascivious shark in a gold chain, loud sport shirt and polyester suit …Susan Schindehette et al.
lasciviously adverb
His show always began with Benny in a public park leering lasciviously at a bevy of young beauties … Gyles Brandreth
lasciviousness noun
… he satirized the contrived unions favored by upper society, exposing the greed, corruption, and lasciviousness with which they were permeated. Harvey Rachlin

Examples of lascivious in a Sentence

He was arrested for lewd and lascivious behavior. was criticized for making lascivious remarks that offended many in the group
Recent Examples on the Web Elijah Nathan Jean-Gilles, 20, was arrested Saturday by Miami police on charges of lewd and lascivious molestation as well as battery. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2024 The suspect was arrested in the unincorporated community of Rescue in El Dorado County on Thursday and was booked into jail on suspicion of charges including two counts of lewd and lascivious with a child under 14 years old by force or fear, the Sheriff’s Office said. Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 1 Mar. 2024 The Thunderbirds maintain a zero-tolerance policy regarding lewd and lascivious conduct, including but not limited to, disorderly or violent behavior and vulgar or violent language. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 24 Jan. 2024 Upon arrest, he was additionally charged with lewd and lascivious battery on a minor in an unrelated case. USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2024 The camera pays close attention both to Faithfull’s skin and to Delon’s, but its lascivious focus is on Rebecca’s Harley-Davidson—and her leather body suit, which became an instant fashion statement.—Richard Brody Pick Three The staff writer Rachel Syme shares her favorite winter movies. The New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2023 The clarinets played a lascivious dance, queasily passed on to the violins. Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Nov. 2023 Rivera was on parole after serving time for committing lewd and lascivious acts on a child, according to deputies. Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 8 Feb. 2024 Alberto Nunez-Arias, 75, was arrested and charged with one count of lewd or lascivious exhibition after an 11-year-old girl recently told her church group that the man exposed himself and asked her to touch him last year. Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 8 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lascivious.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin lasciviosus, from Latin lascivia wantonness, from lascivus wanton — more at lust entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lascivious was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near lascivious

Cite this Entry

“Lascivious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lascivious. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

lascivious

adjective
las·​civ·​i·​ous lə-ˈsiv-ē-əs How to pronounce lascivious (audio)
lasciviously adverb
lasciviousness noun

Legal Definition

lascivious

adjective
las·​civ·​i·​ous lə-ˈsi-vē-əs How to pronounce lascivious (audio)
: reflecting or producing sexual desire or behavior especially that is considered indecent or obscene
lewd and lascivious behavior

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