lewd

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "lewd" is correct and usable in written English.
Generally speaking, it means "indecent or unacceptable behavior, especially of a sexual nature," or "showing or expressing sexual desire in a way that is thought to be rude, insulting, or unacceptable." You can use it in a sentence like this: "The comedian made a series of lewd jokes that were met with uncomfortable silence from the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Law enforcement officers who seized cellphones in a hunt for evidence of lewd activity following a wild party at a New Jersey bar last summer have been hit with a federal civil rights lawsuit charging the officers with privacy violations.

The Guardian

The Paperboy and At Any Price showed flashes of a burgeoning sense of self-awareness in the former High School Musical poppet, but it's Nicholas Stoller's lewd, lairy and very funny comedy Bad Neighbours (Universal, 15) that heralds his fully formed arrival.

The Guardian - Film

The Django Unchained actor Daniele Watts and her boyfriend have entered not-guilty pleas over lewd conduct charges in relation to a highly publicised incident in which they accused a police officer of racial bias.

The Guardian

PAS youth leader Nasrudin Hasan said: "Adam Lambert's shows … are outrageous, with lewd dancing and a gay performance that includes kissing male dancers, this is not good for people in our country".

The Guardian - Music

The revelations came as it emerged that another university rugby club, at London Business School (LBS), was dissolved for 12 months last year following complaints about racism and lewd sexism in a leaflet produced to mark a tour of France.

The Guardian

Chloe condemned her trolls in the Daily Mail as someone who sends who send "lewd, disturbing messages" while he "cowered anonymously behind his computer screen".

The Guardian - Tech

TMZ reports that after listening to the recording of the incident, speaking to witnesses and seeing photographs of Lucas and Watts in the car, state prosecutors decided to prosecute the pair for lewd conduct.

The Guardian - Film

State prosecutors decided to prosecute the pair for lewd conduct, a crime punishable by up to six months in jail.

The Guardian

There was Anthony Weiner's notorious appearance in 2011, when the congressman confessed to sending lewd pictures of himself to women on the internet – only to have his stage hijacked by the conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart and producers from the Howard Stern show.

The Guardian

Related: Django Unchained actor Danièle Watts charged with lewd conduct An actor who accused Los Angeles police of racial profiling when they investigated a report she was having sex with her boyfriend in a parked car has been ordered to apologise to officers as part of a plea deal.

The Guardian

Another of his videos, which features clips of children and teenagers licking Chupa Chups lollipops taken from the brand's online campaign, was criticised for its lewd commentary.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing sexually suggestive or explicit content, consider using "lewd" to convey a sense of impropriety and offense. Be mindful of the context and audience to ensure appropriate usage.

Common error

Don't use "lewd" to describe simply risqué humor or mildly suggestive content. "Lewd" implies a significant breach of decorum and a blatant disregard for moral standards.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "lewd" primarily functions to describe something as sexually suggestive or indecent. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, from describing jokes to conduct, all indicating a violation of moral standards.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "lewd" is commonly used to describe sexually suggestive or indecent behavior, content, or actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically correct and appears in various contexts, primarily in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific sources. When choosing "lewd", consider synonyms such as "indecent" or "obscene" for nuanced meanings. Exercise caution to ensure its use aligns with the context and intended audience, as misinterpreting the severity can lead to inappropriate application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indecent

Focuses on the violation of accepted standards of behavior.

obscene

Emphasizes the offensive nature of the material or behavior.

lascivious

Highlights overt and often offensive sexual desire.

salacious

Suggests a strong interest in or enjoyment of sexual matters.

licentious

Indicates a disregard for accepted moral standards.

bawdy

Implies humorously coarse or indecent talk or writing.

vulgar

Highlights the lack of refinement or good taste.

ribald

Refers to coarse or indecent humor.

crude

Emphasizes the lack of sophistication or delicacy.

pornographic

Describes sexually explicit material intended to cause arousal.

FAQs

How can I use "lewd" in a sentence?

You can use "lewd" to describe behavior, comments, or images that are considered indecent or sexually inappropriate. For instance, "The comedian's jokes were considered too "lewd" for the family audience."

What's the difference between "lewd" and "obscene"?

"Lewd" generally refers to behavior or actions that are sexually suggestive or inappropriate, while "obscene" implies something deeply offensive or disgusting, often with a strong sexual connotation. "Obscene" is generally considered a stronger term than "lewd".

What are some synonyms for "lewd"?

Some synonyms for "lewd" include "indecent", "lascivious", "salacious", and "obscene". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the word "lewd"?

It's appropriate to use "lewd" when you want to describe something that is sexually suggestive or inappropriate and violates social norms or moral standards. Consider the context and audience to ensure that using the word "lewd" is appropriate.