Licentious
/laɪˈsɛn.ʃəs/noun
Lacking moral restraint or control, especially in sexual behavior or conduct.
Did you know?Licentious comes from Latin *licentia* meaning “freedom” or “permission,” the same root behind *license* — but over time, “too much permission” became a moral accusation.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
licentia
“freedom, permission, unrestrainedness”
Latin
Latin
licere
“to be permitted, to be allowed”
Late Latin
Latin
licentiosus
“full of freedom; overfree, unruly”
Middle English
English
licentious
“unrestrained, lawless, morally loose”
Modern English
English
licentious
“morally unrestrained, especially in sexual conduct”