lawful

adjective

law·​ful ˈlȯ-fəl 

1

a

: being in harmony with the law

a lawful judgment

b

: constituted, authorized, or established by law : rightful

lawful institutions

2

: law-abiding

lawful citizens

lawfully

ˈlȯ-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

lawfulness

ˈlȯ-fəl-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• legal
• legit [slang]
• legitimate
• licit

Choose the Right Synonym for lawful

lawful, legal, legitimate, licit mean being in accordance with law.

lawful may apply to conformity with law of any sort (such as natural, divine, common, or canon).

the lawful sovereign

legal applies to what is sanctioned by law or in conformity with the law, especially as it is written or administered by the courts.

legal residents of the state

legitimate may apply to a legal right or status but also, in extended use, to a right or status supported by tradition, custom, or accepted standards.

a perfectly legitimate question about taxes

licit applies to a strict conformity to the provisions of the law and applies especially to what is regulated by law.

the licit use of drugs by doctors

Examples of lawful in a Sentence

a lawful search of the property

hunting is a lawful activity only if you have the proper license

Recent Examples on the Web

During a press conference after Meta’s announcement, Regnier said that Europe isn’t asking any platforms to remove lawful content. —Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 9 Jan. 2025

Authorities have issued a lawful order for all residents and personnel in the following zones to leave immediately: LCF-BERKSHIRE LCF-COMMONWEALTH LCF-CROWN LCF-FOOTHILLEAST LCF-INVERNESS LCF-STARLIGHT Those in the affected areas are urged to evacuate without delay to ensure their safety. —Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025

The organization pointed to South Carolina and Louisiana, which passed and enacted legislation in 2024 allowing lawful gun owners to carry a firearm without a permit, and Colorado, Maine and New Mexico, where efforts to pass bans on certain types of firearms failed. —Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 1 Jan. 2025

Senate Bill 184 will go into effect on Jan. 1 and will prohibit a person, after receiving a warning, from approaching a first responder engaged in the lawful performance of their job. —Christina Shaw, Fox News, 30 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

lawful

adjective

law·​ful ˈlȯ-fəl 

1

: permitted by law

lawful conduct

2

: recognized by law : rightful

the lawful owner

lawfully

-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

lawfulness

-fəl-nəs 

noun

Legal Definition

lawful

adjective

law·​ful

1

a

: being in harmony with the law

a lawful judgment

a lawful purpose

b

: constituted, authorized, or established by law

a lawful duty

2

: law-abiding

lawful citizens

lawfully adverb

lawfulness noun