lascivious

[luh-siv-ee-uhs]

adjective

1. inclined to lustfulness; wanton; lewd.

   a lascivious, girl-chasing old man.

2. arousing sexual desire.

   lascivious photographs.

3. indicating sexual interest or expressive of lust or lewdness.

   a lascivious gesture.

lascivious

/ ləˈsɪvɪəs /

adjective

1. lustful; lecherous

2. exciting sexual desire

Other Word Forms

• lasciviousness noun
• lasciviously adverb
• overlascivious adjective
• overlasciviously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of lascivious¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin lascīvi(a) “playfulness, wantonness” ( lascīv(us) “playful, wanton” + -ia noun suffix) + -ous; -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of lascivious¹

C15: from Late Latin lascīviōsus, from Latin lascīvia wantonness, from lascīvus

Example Sentences

Instead, she taps into her core autonomy, leveraging it to bring a human depth even to the most lascivious characters.

From Salon

Goularte was arrested in February 2022 on suspicion of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor; however, a judge released him two days later.

From Los Angeles Times

Barreto-Hernandez is out of custody on bond and was charged with lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 years old and touching a person against their will for sexual arousal.

From Los Angeles Times

Baker’s DNA had previously been captured after he was convicted of lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor in 1993 and forced to register as a sex offender.

From Los Angeles Times

He was convicted of attempting to commit a lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 and is listed on the Megan’s Law website.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• indecent 
• lewd 
• pornographic 
• prurient 
• salacious 
• vulgar