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

Anyone who interferes with our lawful mission will be arrested. —Danielle Wallace , Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 9 July 2025

And in ruling after ruling, in case after case, on all kinds of points of law, Liman has upheld congestion pricing as lawful: New York State, through the MTA’s Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, has the legal power to impose the toll. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 8 July 2025

These high-level employees often operate under unique contractual arrangements, have access to sensitive company information and may be terminated for reasons that blur the line between lawful discretion and unlawful motive. —Jc Serrano, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025

Abbott was one of Biden's leading critics on the border during a period when the Border Patrol was registering more than 2 million migrant encounters a year – many of them lawful asylum-seekers. —Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 6 July 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