lawful

[ law-fuhl ]

adjective

1. allowed or permitted by law; not contrary to law:

   a lawful enterprise.

   Synonyms: legal

2. recognized or sanctioned by law; legitimate:

   a lawful marriage; a lawful heir.

   Synonyms: licit

3. appointed or recognized by law; legally qualified:

   a lawful king.

4. acting or living according to the law; law-abiding:

   a lawful man; a lawful community.

lawful

/ ˈlɔːfʊl /

adjective

1. allowed, recognized, or sanctioned by law; legal

Derived Forms

• ˈlawfulness, noun
• ˈlawfully, adverb

Other Words From

• lawful·ly adverb
• lawful·ness noun
• pre·lawful adjective
• pre·lawful·ly adverb
• pre·lawful·ness noun
• quasi-lawful adjective
• quasi-lawful·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of lawful¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, lawful is from the Middle English word laghful. See law ¹, -ful

Example Sentences

A parent or person with lawful custody has up to 14 days from the time of surrender to reclaim the newborn if they change their mind.

From Los Angeles Times

HRW’s report - based on interviews with displaced Palestinians, analysis of Israeli evacuation orders, satellite imagery showing destruction of buildings, and videos and photos of strikes - concludes that there is no plausible imperative military reason to justify the displacement of nearly all of Gaza’s population and that the other conditions for it be lawful have also not been met.

From BBC

For displacement to be lawful, civilians must be moved safely and provided with accommodation and essential supplies.

From BBC

Note who does not fall under these narrow exceptions: the U.S.-born children of immigrants, whether lawful or unauthorized.

From Slate

“Everyone agrees,” Ho said, “that birthright citizenship doesn’t apply to the children of lawful combatants”—that is, alien soldiers invading the United States.

From Slate

Related Words

• authorized
• constitutional
• justifiable
• legal
• permissible
• proper
• rightful
• statutory
• valid