licentious

American  

[lahy-sen-shuhs] / laɪˈsɛn ʃəs /

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.

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licentious British  

/ laɪˈsɛnʃəs /

adjective

1. sexually unrestrained or promiscuous

2. rare showing disregard for convention

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of licentious

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

Explanation

Someone who is licentious behaves or speaks inappropriately, usually in regards to sex. What some might call a licentious senior citizen, others would simply refer to as "a dirty old man" (or woman). We usually talk about licentious behavior, but there also can be licentious photographs. Besides being inappropriate, licentious behavior is also usually regarded as immoral. If at all possible, therefore, licentious is a description you should seek to avoid for yourself.

Example Sentences

Monica dedicated her life to prayers for the salvation of her family, especially her disreputable and licentious son, Augustine.

From Washington Post • May 10, 2018

The gangster of the ’30s belonged to an era of licentious chaos.

From Slate • Sep. 1, 2017

They were middle class, not rich but stable, and the church provided an enveloping community; Kimbanguists follow strict rules, which forbid alcohol, tobacco, visiting night clubs, and other licentious entertainment.

From The New Yorker • Nov. 9, 2015

The story, set in Rome in 509 B.C., tells of the occupying Etruscan prince Tarquinius, a tyrannical and licentious ruler, who is leading Rome in its war against the Greeks.

From New York Times • Feb. 19, 2015

Gage spares no invectives against what he calls the licentious conduct of the frontier people.

From The Conspiracy of Pontiac and the Indian War after the Conquest of Canada by Parkman, Francis