lewdness: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal
Quick answer
What does “lewdness” mean?
The quality or state of being sexually offensive, indecent, or obscene.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The quality or state of being sexually offensive, indecent, or obscene.
Behavior, language, or material that is crude and offensive in a sexual way, often associated with a lack of moral restraint and intended to arouse improper sexual feelings.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition. Both use it in formal or legal contexts (e.g., 'act of lewdness'). British English might more readily use 'indecency' in some equivalent legal phrases.
Connotations
Strongly negative in both, suggesting vulgar indecency. Can have archaic or literary overtones.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech in both varieties. More common in formal writing, legal documents, or historical/literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “lewdness” in a Sentence
the lewdness of (something/someone)an act of lewdnesscharged with lewdnessVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lewdness” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [From base 'lewd'] The comedian was accused of lewding it up for the tabloid cameras.
- The article claimed the film lewdly exploited its subject.
American English
- [From base 'lewd'] The comedian was accused of lewding it up for the tabloids.
- Critics said the show lewdly objectified its characters.
adverb
British English
- He winked lewdly at the waitress, making her uncomfortable.
- The lyrics were lewdly suggestive.
American English
- He grinned lewdly at the comment.
- The ad was seen as lewdly provocative.
adjective
British English
- He was arrested for making lewd gestures to passers-by.
- The pamphlet was full of lewd illustrations.
American English
- He was arrested for making lewd gestures at the crowd.
- The movie was criticized for its lewd humor.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Might appear in an HR report regarding severe misconduct.
Academic
Used in literary criticism, historical studies, sociology, or legal discussions of morality and obscenity laws.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Used to express strong disapproval of overtly crude sexual behavior or material.
Technical
A specific legal term in statutes (e.g., 'lewdness and lascivious conduct').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lewdness”
- Confusing it with 'loudness'. Misspelling as 'leudness'. Using it to describe mild flirtation or simple sexiness, which is too weak.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. Lewdness describes the quality of being offensively sexual or indecent. Pornography is a type of material created to sexually arouse. Pornography could be described as exhibiting lewdness, but lewdness can apply to gestures, comments, or behavior, not just media.
Almost never. It is a strongly judgmental term implying vulgarity and a lack of propriety. It is nearly always used in a negative, disapproving sense.
They are very close synonyms. 'Obscenity' is often the broader legal term for offensive material, while 'lewdness' sometimes more specifically implies overt, crude sexual behavior or intent. They are frequently used together (e.g., 'lewd and obscene').
It is formal and has a historical feel, but it is still actively used in legal language and formal writing to describe crude sexual indecency. It sounds archaic in casual everyday conversation.
The quality or state of being sexually offensive, indecent, or obscene.
Lewdness is usually formal in register.
Lewdness: in British English it is pronounced /ˈluːdnəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈluːdnəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly with 'lewdness'; concept appears in phrases like 'lewd and lascivious behavior']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'LEWD' person 'UNDRESSING' in public; the '-NESS' makes it the noun for that crude, indecent quality.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMMORALITY IS FILTH/DIRT (e.g., 'dirty joke', 'filthy mind' connects to 'lewdness').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'lewdness' MOST likely to be used correctly?