adjective
lascivious
luh-SIV-ee-us/ləˈsɪviəs/
Expressing or arousing overt sexual desire.
The man's lascivious leer earns a firm rebuff in the café.
Etymology
Latin lascivia covered both playful frolicking and lewdness. The adjective developed a scolding force, turning that range of unrestrained behavior into a disapproving description of sexual desire.
In context
first-degree murder with special circumstances, and he's also being accused of continuous sexual abuse and lewd and lascivious acts of a child
More examples
- His lascivious stare makes the other passengers uncomfortable.
- The director cuts a lascivious scene from the film.
- He mistakes her friendly smile for a lascivious invitation.
Forms
lascivious
lasciviously adverb — In a way expressing overt sexual desire.
lasciviousness noun — The quality of expressing or arousing lust.
Similar words
- lewd
- Emphasizes sexual indecency rather than the expression of desire.
- lustful
- Emphasizes feeling strong sexual desire rather than arousing it.
- suggestive
- Hints at sexual meaning without necessarily making desire explicit.