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

• bawdy
• blue
• coarse
• crude
• dirty
• filthy
• foul
• gross
• gutter
• impure
• indecent
• lascivious
• locker-room
• nasty
• obscene
• pornographic
• porny
• profane
• raunchy
• ribald
• smutty
• stag
• trashy
• unprintable
• vulgar
• wanton
• X-rated

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

Others are lewd and crude and yet, against my better judgment—because who needs any more self-judgment?—I laugh. —Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 19 Mar. 2025

The scripts of the new series are laugh-out-loud funny, managing a delicate balance of raucous, lewd and sweet humor. —Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025

William Francis Chatel was arrested Tuesday, March 11, and charged with lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim under 12 years of age, according to online court records. —Kc Baker, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025

William Chatel of Rhode Island is facing a charge of lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim under 12 years of age, according to Orange County records. —Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 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