WordGarden.iolasciviously
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ləsˈɪvɪəsli/
US
- /ləsˈɪviəsli/
Meanings
Adverb
in a lustful or sexually suggestive way
Beyond the definition
"Lasciviously" describes behavior that shows strong sexual interest in a way that feels improper, rude, or unpleasant. It is not simply about private desire; it is about showing that desire openly, often in a way that makes another person feel reduced to an object. Think of a character in a story who might stare at someone lasciviously or speak with obvious sexual undertones that are not welcome. The word has a strong negative tone and suggests poor boundaries and little respect for the other person. It is rarely used for harmless attraction; it points to desire shown in a way that makes others uncomfortable.
Imagine a villain watching someone from across a room with a hungry look or smiling lasciviously in a way that makes others uneasy. That gives you a sense of the word's dark tone. It captures that specific "creepy" quality of unwanted sexual attention.
The word "lasciviously" traces its roots back to the Latin lascīvus, meaning "playful" or "wanton." Over time, however, it developed a much more specific and negative sense. Today, it describes actions or expressions marked by sexual desire shown in an open, lewd, or improper way. It often suggests a gaze, gesture, smile, or way of speaking that feels deliberately suggestive and objectifying.
It is important to understand that "lasciviously" is not just about feeling attraction; it is about showing that attraction in a way that seems disrespectful. For example, a novelist might write, "The pirate captain looked lasciviously at the prisoner," implying a gaze that is crude or predatory rather than romantic. Or, "He spoke lasciviously about his colleagues," suggesting he talked about them in a vulgar and inappropriate way.
This word is almost never used in a positive context. It often appears in literature, legal writing, or journalism when describing sexual misconduct, harassment, or other exploitative behavior. Because it carries strong judgment, "lasciviously" should be used carefully. It signals to the reader that the behavior being described is not merely sexual, but improper, uninvited, or even harmful.
Examples
- 1
Bar encounter
He smiled lasciviously at her from across the bar.
- 2
Music video
The camera lingered lasciviously on the singer's body during the video.
- Usage
lasciviously is often used in a critical or disapproving way
- 3
Literary villain
In the old novel, the villain looks lasciviously at every woman he meets.
- Usage
lasciviously is more common in formal or literary writing than in everyday speech
See also
Similar
- lewdly
- lustfully
- lecherously
Shades of meaning
- salaciously
- suggestively
- obscenely
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- leer lasciviously
- stare lasciviously
- smile lasciviously
Word family
- lascivious
- lasciviousness
Explore
- sexual impropriety
- objectification
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- lasciviouslyadverb