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

Sheriff’s officials said Guidry faces three counts of committing lewd and lascivious acts with a child younger than 14 years old. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 19 Dec. 2025

Freeman was arrested and booked into the Solano County Jail on multiple charges, including soliciting lewd acts in public, false imprisonment, and robbery, police said. —Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025

Antoine John Leon Parks, 35, is facing charges of indecent exposure and committing a lewd act in the presence of a child, according to his arrest report. —Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 17 Dec. 2025

Campbell was charged with one count of first-degree rape and one count of lewd or indecent acts to a child under 16, according to the charging document. —Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 17 Dec. 2025

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
• crude
• cued
• dude
• feud
• food
• glued

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