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Meaning & use

lewd

adjective·Academicformaldisapproving

Last updated

UK/luːd/
US/luːd/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparabledisapproving

    Crude and openly sexual in a way that most people find offensive or improper.

    Grammar: Comes before a noun or after be: lewd jokes; the joke was lewd.

    Patterns

    • lewd behavior
    • lewd remarks

    The teacher warned him about making lewd remarks in class.

    The comedian was criticized for his lewd jokes.

    He was fined for lewd behavior in a public place.

  2. adjectivebefore a nounlegal

    Used in law for sexual conduct or displays considered indecent in public.

    Grammar: A legal modifier before a noun: lewd conduct.

    Patterns

    • lewd conduct
    • lewd act

    He was charged with lewd conduct in the park.

    The law bans lewd acts in public spaces.

    Prosecutors argued the display was lewd and offensive.

Word forms

comparativelewder
superlativelewdest

Common combinations

lewd remark
The manager apologized for a lewd remark.
lewd behavior
Lewd behavior is banned at the venue.
lewd joke
A lewd joke made the room uncomfortable.
lewd conduct
He was arrested for lewd conduct.
lewd gesture
The player was fined for a lewd gesture.

Synonyms and how they differ

indecent
Indecent is wider and more legal, while lewd stresses crude sexual content.
obscene
Obscene is stronger and suggests material that is deeply offensive.
vulgar
Vulgar means crude or tasteless in general, not always sexual.
suggestive
Suggestive is milder and hints at sex without being explicit.

Opposites

decentmodest

Word family

lewdly adverb
in a lewd manner
lewdness noun
the quality of being lewd
lewder adjective
comparative form

Commonly confused: lewd or lude?

lewd vs lude

Lude is not a standard English word and is a common misspelling of lewd; the word is also not the same as lute, a musical instrument.

Practice

A school would most likely ban 'lewd' comments because they are:

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