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Definition of lawful

lawful

/ˈlɔː.fəl/
law · ful
Adverb:lawfully
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lawful Lexical Profile

lawful Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Conforming to, permitted by, or recognized by law or established rules.

Example

"The citizens exercised their right to hold a peaceful and lawful assembly in the public square."

2

Abiding by the law and respecting authority and public order.

Example

"As a lawful member of the community, she promptly reported the financial discrepancy to the authorities."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for lawful
Antonyms
View all antonyms for lawful

Word Nuance & Usage

While 'lawful' and 'legal' are often used interchangeably, 'lawful' generally implies conformity with broader moral, ethical, or religious principles of justice, whereas 'legal' refers strictly to technical compliance with statutory laws.

• Rhymes for lawful

• Nearby Words

lawbreaker
lawbreaking
lawcourt
lawful
lawfully
lawfulness
lawgiver

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English lawful, formed from the Old Norse loanword law (from lag, meaning 'something laid down or fixed') combined with the native Old English suffix -ful.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Lawful. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/lawful
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