lewd

adjective

ˈlüd 

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

Synonyms of lewd

• obscene
• pornographic
• vulgar
• foul
• nasty
• dirty
• filthy

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

An El Dorado jury convicted him in July 2025 of six counts of committing lewd acts on a child younger than 14. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026

Cacconie was supposed to be sentenced on August 25, 2025, a month after he was convicted of six counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 29 June 2026

Another time when Jayce was talking to the bot, Robo-Dad pulled a lewd cosplay joke from Jason’s comedy set that wasn’t exactly age appropriate. — Ella Chakarian, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2026

On Thursday, Riemer pleaded guilty to two counts of lewd or lascivious exhibition. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2026

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

Rhymes for lewd

• blued
• booed
• brewed
• brood
• chewed
• cooed
• coude
• crude
• cued
• dude
• feud
• food

Kids Definition

lewd

adjective

ˈlüd 

1

: showing interest in sex in a rude manner

lewd behavior

2

: indecent

lewd remarks

lewdly adverb

lewdness noun

Legal Definition

lewd

adjective

ˈlüd 

: involving or being sexual conduct that is considered indecent or offensive : licentious

convicted of lewd and lascivious assault upon a child

—National Law Journal

lewdly adverb

lewdness noun