lascivious

Lascivious is an adjective describing behavior, expressions, or imagery that is intended to arouse sexual desire and is often regarded as indecent or obscene. It implies overt sexuality or provocative imprudence, and it is typically used in formal, literary, or moral contexts rather than casual conversation. The noun form is lasciviousness, and the adverb is lasciviously.

Etymology and range of meaning: Lascivious derives from Latin lascivus, meaning playful or wanton, with associations to lust or lewdness. In English, the term has long carried a negative connotation, signaling disapproval of how sexuality is displayed or discussed.

Usage and contexts: Lascivious is commonly found in legal, religious, or editorial language when describing acts, remarks, or looks that are intended to provoke sexual arousal or to offend modesty. In modern prose, it often conveys a tone of condemnation or moral judgment rather than neutral description. It is related to, but stronger than, words like lewd or salacious, and can describe things such as lascivious remarks, lascivious glances, or lascivious stories.

Synonyms and related terms: lewd, salacious, licentious, wanton, prurient. Antonyms include chaste and modest.

Examples: A judge may rule that certain conduct constitutes lascivious behavior; a novel might be criticized for lascivious imagery. Phrases such as “lascivious glances” or “lascivious remarks” are common in descriptive writing.

See also: lewd, licentious, prurient, lasciviousness.