Lewdsexually rude or offensive; showing a lack of good taste is an adjective used for sexual or indecentnot suitable for public display because it is sexually offensive behavior, language, or images. It can describe something that is crudely suggestivehinting at sex in a way that is not direct, or a person who is strongly driven by sexual desire.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /luːd/
Easy pronunciation: LOOD (approximate spelling).
Stress: One syllable; stress falls on the only syllable.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Lewd Meaning
sexually crude, indecent, or suggestive
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: suggestive of or tending to moral looseness
Example: The magazine was criticized for its lewd pictures.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- obscene — Works well for indecent, sexually explicit material.
- raunchy — Works in informal usage for something sexually explicit or crudely suggestive.
- salacious — Fits when something is sexually provocative or intended to arouse interest.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Lewd
Meaning 2
full of sexual desire
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: driven by lust; preoccupied with or exhibiting lustful desires
Example: He made lewd remarks to the crowd.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- lascivious — A close match for openly lustful or sexually suggestive behavior.
- libidinous — Works for someone strongly controlled by sexual desire.
- lustful — A direct fit for being full of sexual desire.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Lewd Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- obscene
- raunchy
- salacious
driven by lust; preoccupied with sexual desire
- lascivious
- libidinous
- lustful
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes use lewd for anything rude or offensive, but it specifically suggests sexual indecency or lust.
- Lewd is often confused with lewdly as an adverb form, but that is a separate usage.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does lewd mean?
Lewd usually means sexually indecent, crudely suggestive, or strongly lustful.
What is a synonym for lewd?
For the main sense, good synonyms include obscene, raunchy, and salacious. For the lustful sense, synonyms include lascivious, libidinous, and lustful.
Is lewd a negative word?
Yes. It is usually critical or disapproving and suggests bad taste or sexual impropriety.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.