licentious

/laɪˈsenʃəs/ (bre, ipa) · /laɪˈsenʃəs/ (ame, ipa) · /lī-ˈsen(t)-shəs/ (ame, mw)

licentious — adjective

  • licentiouspositive
  • more licentiouscomparative
  • most licentioussuperlative

1. showing a readiness to break accepted sexual limits and act in a way people judg

1.形容詞C2
釋義

showing a readiness to break accepted sexual limits and act in a way people judge as morally corrupt.

例句

The scandal exposed the senator's licentious behavior toward several interns.

collocation: licentious behavior toward

Abigail refused to work for the director after his licentious jokes at dinner.

collocation: licentious jokes

同義詞
  • promiscuous

    Often stresses having many sexual partners; licentious sounds more formal and morally condemning.

  • lewd

    Usually focuses on sexual words, jokes, or gestures; licentious can describe a whole pattern of conduct or a lifestyle.

  • debauched

    Stronger and often tied to a life of pleasure and vice; licentious points more directly to sexual immorality.

  • immoral

    Much broader; licentious narrows the criticism to sexual behavior.

反義詞
  • chaste

    Formal word for sexually pure or restrained behavior.

  • modest

    Often describes socially proper dress or behavior rather than deep moral purity.

  • virtuous

    Broader moral praise covering many areas of conduct, not only sex.

文法句型

licentious + behavior / lifestyle / jokes

be licentious

call someone licentious

用法筆記

Often used in formal or judgmental writing about sexual conduct, especially when the speaker wants to express strong moral disapproval. Distinguish from promiscuous: promiscuous can simply stress many sexual partners, while licentious is harsher and suggests shameless vice.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher gave us a licentious amount of homework.
✅The teacher gave us an excessive amount of homework.
💡licentious describes immoral, usually sexual behavior, not quantity.