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

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 Paige McQuay, 56, was arrested on suspicion of attempting to contact a minor to commit an unlawful offense and attempting lewd acts with a minor, according to Roseville police spokesperson Chris Ciampa. Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024 James Edward Fitch, 54, is charged with four counts of lewd acts with a child and one count of contacting a minor to commit a felony, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office. Jason Green, The Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2024 The measure quickly became infamous for banning the mailing of any materials deemed lewd or lascivious. Rebecca Dewolf / Made By History, TIME, 12 Sep. 2024 The interview also sees McInnes engage in the kind of lewd behavior and racist remarks he’s become infamous for. Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lewd 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lewd.' 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 lewed vulgar, from Old English lǣwede laical, ignorant

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of lewd was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near lewd

Cite this Entry

“Lewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lewd. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

lewd

adjective
1
: showing interest in sex in a rude manner
lewd behavior
2
: indecent
lewd remarks
lewdly adverb
lewdness noun

Legal Definition

lewd

adjective
: involving or being sexual conduct that is considered indecent or offensive : licentious
convicted of lewd and lascivious assault upon a childNational Law Journal
lewdly adverb
lewdness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on lewd

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