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

• 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

Augusta Williams, 34, was convicted of lewd or lascivious battery on a child aged 12-16 and has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, the State Attorney’s Office for the Fifth Judicial Circuit announced June 23. —Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 24 June 2025

Perlman, Dunham revealed, was entirely responsible for the lewd riff between her and Stalter’s characters at the end of the teaser. —Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025

But Fremont police say this neighborhood held a lewd secret. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 June 2025

The Statesman obtained a copy of the police report, which logged the complaint as an allegation of lewd conduct with a minor, a felony under Idaho Code 18-1508. —Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 16 June 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