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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But unlike those genre staples, this is a lewd, crude comedy about dorky teens who throw a 17th birthday party for a pal. EW.com, 9 July 2025 The coach was charged in April with special circumstance allegation of murder during the commission of lewd acts with a child, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Escher Walcott, People.com, 30 June 2025 Sarabia, 41, pleaded no contest to charges of forcible rape, lewd acts with a minor under 14, kidnapping and forcible oral copulation. Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for lewd

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lewd. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

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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