lawful

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "lawful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that conforms to the law, or to describe something that is allowed by law. For example, you can say, "It is lawful for employees to take paid time off from work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the Magna Carta, which first curtailed the power of the state in 1215, King John promised that: "No free man shall be arrested or imprisoned or disseised [dispossessed] or outlawed or exiled or in any way victimised, neither will we attack him or send anyone to attack him, except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land".

The Economist

But Kansans insist on more: exempting themselves from laws like the Gun Free School Zones Act and the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.

The Economist

Under the law created by David Cameron's predecessors, ballots for industrial action attain a lawful mandate when 50%+1 vote for action no matter the turnout.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even now, five years after the US closed down Bucca, the Pentagon defends the camp as an example of lawful policy for a turbulent time.

The Guardian

The report concluded there was "no credible evidence" to uphold complaints by Duggan's family that police had relocated the firearm in the sock, that officer V53 did not fire live shots in the belief Duggan was pointing a firearm at him, and that he did not use lawful force.

The Guardian

It is a shameful attempt by the university to prevent students from exercising their lawful right to protest".

The Guardian

The extradition of a mentally ill British suspect to face trial in the US for running a jihadi training camp was lawful, the European court of human rights has ruled.

The Guardian

The right to peaceful protest is an important one and so is the right to carry on lawful business.

The Guardian

And it should disclose the factual record that led the OLC to conclude that the extrajudicial killing of Anwar al-Awlaki – again, an American citizen who was located far from any conventional battlefield – would be lawful.

The Guardian - Opinion

"That," the official continued, "is why the statute requires that there be minimization procedures to ensure that when communications of, or concerning, US persons are acquired in the course of lawful collection under Section 702, that information is minimized and is retained and disseminated only when appropriate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many students also wanted to protest against the result of the inquest into Mark Duggan's death – a verdict of "lawful killing" was reached after a policeman shot and killed Duggan in August last year.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lawful" to clarify that certain activities are permitted within a specific legal framework.

Common error

While both terms relate to the law, "lawful" typically refers to actions that are permitted by law, whereas "legal" more broadly describes anything pertaining to the law. Ensure you're using the term that best fits the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The word "lawful" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something is in accordance with or permitted by law. Ludwig examples confirm this usage, showing it describes judgments, rights, business practices, and more.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lawful" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective that signifies compliance with the law. As Ludwig AI indicates, its primary function is to describe actions, processes, or entities that align with legal standards. The word appears most often in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral register suitable for formal communication. While alternatives like "legal" and "legitimate" exist, "lawful" distinctly emphasizes adherence to established laws. Remember to distinguish it from "legal", which has a broader legal connotation, as suggested by the usage tips.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legal

More general term indicating conformity with the law.

within the law

A phrase that emphasizes that an action or situation does not violate any laws.

legitimate

Implies conformity to the law or to rules; may also suggest validity or genuineness.

licit

Similar to legal, but often used in more formal contexts.

in accordance with the law

A more formal and explicit way of stating that something complies with legal requirements.

permissible

Focuses on the idea of being allowed or not forbidden by law.

rightful

Emphasizes the just or morally correct aspect of being in accordance with the law.

justified

Indicates that something is done for a good reason and is therefore lawful.

valid

Focuses on the legal soundness or enforceability.

authorized

Specifically implies that something has been given official permission or sanction.

FAQs

How can I use "lawful" in a sentence?

You can use "lawful" to describe actions, processes, or entities that comply with the law. For example, "The police ensured all protests remained "peaceful" and "lawful"."

What are some alternatives to the word "lawful"?

Some alternatives include "legal", "legitimate", "licit", and "permissible". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "lawful" and "legal"?

"Lawful" describes something permitted or in accordance with the law, while "legal" pertains more generally to the law. A "lawful" action is one that is allowed, while a "legal" document is one that is related to the law.

Is it correct to say "a lawful citizen"?

While grammatically correct, "law-abiding citizen" is a more common and natural-sounding way to describe a citizen who obeys the law. "Lawful" tends to modify actions or processes rather than people.