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 In 2004, in connection with Bell's case, Brian pleaded no contest to a charge of oral copulation with a minor under 16 as well as a charge of performing a lewd act with a teenager. Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024 Schneider, for his part, denies hiring Peck, who in 2004 pleaded no contest to oral copulation with a minor under 16 and performing a lewd act with a 14- or 15-year-old and was sentenced to 16 months in jail. Vogue, 21 Mar. 2024 He was subsequently convicted of a lewd act against a child and oral copulation of a person under 16, and spent 16 months in prison. Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2024 Peck pleaded no contest to charges of committing a lewd act against a child and was sentenced to 16 months in prison. Shania Russell, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2024 Los Angeles police arrested 28-year-old Handy in 2003 for a lewd act with a child under age 14. Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2024 Peck was arrested in August 2003 and convicted in 2004 on charges of lewd acts with a child that stemmed from a 2001 incident. USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2024 He was subsequently convicted of a lewd act against a child and oral copulation of a person under 16, and spent 16 months in prison, The Hollywood Reporter said. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2024 In May 2004, Peck pleaded no contest to performing a lewd act with a 14- or 15-year-old and to oral copulation with a minor under 16. Zack Sharf, Variety, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lewd.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near lewd

Cite this Entry

“Lewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lewd. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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