English Explanatory Dictionary

lawful

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Conforming to, or recognised by the laws of society.
  2. Operating according to some law or fundamental principle.
  3. Of a character: having an alignment which makes them tend to follow the laws and conventions of society.
noun
  1. A character having a lawful alignment.

Pronunciation

/ˈlɔːfl̩/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-lawful.wav /ˈlɔfl̩/ /ˈlɑfl̩/ /ˈloːfl̩/

Word forms

lawful more lawful most lawful lawfull lawfuls

Etymology

From Middle English laweful, equivalent to law + -ful, conflated with Middle English leful, leeful, leveful (“according to law, lawful, pertaining to law”). See also leveful.

Synonyms

de jure lawful legal legitimate licit rightful just

Antonyms

forbidden unlawful nonlawful illicit crimeful criminal illegal illegitimate lawbreaking outlawed wrongful

Related words

equitable fair just righteous upright

Derived words

awful but lawful lawful but awful lawful day lawful evil lawful good lawful interception lawfully lawful money lawfulness lawful neutral unlawfulness
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