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

But unlike those genre staples, this is a lewd, crude comedy about dorky teens who throw a 17th birthday party for a pal. — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Nov. 2026

The friend told him people at the barbershop were saying he was arrested at Schenley Park in Pittsburgh on charges of participating in a lewd act with a trans woman. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026

He is charged with one count of lewd or lascivious molestation of a child under 12 and one count of lewd or lascivious conduct. — Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2026

The rumor alleged that Stewart was caught and arrested for engaging in a lewd act with another man in a local park. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 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