licentious

[lahy-sen-shuhs]

adjective

1. sexually unrestrained; lascivious; libertine; lewd.

2. unrestrained by law or general morality; lawless; immoral.

   Synonyms: profligate, abandoned
   Antonyms: lawful

3. going beyond customary or proper bounds or limits; disregarding rules.

licentious

/ laɪˈsɛnʃəs /

adjective

1. sexually unrestrained or promiscuous

2. rare,  showing disregard for convention

Other Word Forms

• licentiousness noun
• licentiously adverb
• nonlicentious adjective
• nonlicentiously adverb
• overlicentious adjective
• overlicentiously adverb
• unlicentious adjective
• unlicentiously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of licentious¹

First recorded in 1525–35, licentious is from the Latin word licentiōsus “unrestrained”; license, -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of licentious¹

C16: from Latin licentiōsus capricious, from licentia _licence

Example Sentences

This strange dichotomy between licentious freedom and slavish obedience is an implicit bargain between Trump and his followers.

From Salon

But it is par for the course in an administration dominated by licentious, lying lotharios and those who wish to make money off of the backs of the voters.

From Salon

Japan and the West had different sexual mores, but Japan’s culture was not particularly licentious or permissive.

From Washington Post

He’s a licentious cad — flip and arrogant, a little romantic but mostly skeevy, and shallow as a Champagne coupe.

From New York Times

Failing to return Henry Miller’s licentious “Tropic of Cancer,” borrowed two decades earlier.

From Washington Post