lewd

1 of 2

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

lewdness

2 of 2

noun

lewd·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being lewd

Synonyms of lewd

Adjective

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

Examples of lewd in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

Count 6, lewd and lascivious conduct against a child under 16. — Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

Prosecutors charged Cesar Cardoso, 53, with 13 offenses, including two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation, which is punishable by up to life in prison. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026

Within minutes, the profile received follow requests, inappropriate direct messages and lewd video calls from adult men. — Titania Jordan, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Justice Depina, 28, was charged in state court with arranging to meet a minor for lewd purposes, sending harmful material to a minor, and child pornography possession. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English lewed vulgar, from Old English lǣwede laical, ignorant

Noun

Middle English lewednesse ignorance, wickedness, from lewed, lewede + -nesse -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

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