What does licentiously mean?
Licentiously is an adverb meaning in a way that lacks moral, social, or legal restraint, especially with regard to sexual behavior. It is generally used in formal, disapproving contexts, as when a critic says that a person has behaved licentiously or that a work depicts licentious conduct. The word can also describe a translation or adaptation that disregards the original wording, meaning, or restrictions. In this second use, it need not refer specifically to sexuality; the central idea is excessive freedom or disregard for accepted limits. Licentiously derives from the adjective licentious, which in turn comes from Latin roots associated with permission and lack of restraint. Because the term can cover both moral excess and excessive interpretive freedom, it is especially useful in social criticism, literary analysis, and discussion of translation.
adverbIn a way that is unrestrained by moral or social limits, especially in sexual behavior. Also, in translation or adaptation, with excessive disregard for the original wording, meaning, or restrictions.
- Without moral or social restraint, especially in sexual behavior.
- With excessive freedom from the restrictions, meaning, or wording of an original work, especially in translation or adaptation.
"The novel was criticized for portraying its characters as living licentiously, with little concern for social convention."
"He continued to behave licentiously despite repeated warnings from the community."
"The adaptation was translated so licentiously that it no longer conveyed the original author's intended meaning."
Licentiously has a double life: it can describe sexual excess, or a translation that has wandered far from its source.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does licentiously come from?
Licentiously is formed from licentious with the adverbial suffix -ly. Licentiously ultimately comes through Old French from Latin licentiosus, meaning unrestrained or licensed, related to licentia, meaning license or permission, from licere, to be permitted. The same Latin root also underlies licence, license, licentiate, and licensable, although their modern meanings and grammatical roles differ.
How licentiously is actually used
Usually formal and strongly disapproving. In its primary sense, it describes conduct considered immoral or socially improper; in translation or criticism, it can describe a treatment that is excessively free or unfaithful.