lecherous
/'letʃərəs/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Having or showing excessive or offensive sexual desire: Describes a person, their behavior, or their expression as being characterized by strong, often crude or unpleasant, sexual interest.
Usage
- The word "lecherous" is used to describe someone (typically a man) who behaves in a way that shows an excessive, often predatory or unwelcome, sexual interest in others. It carries a strong negative connotation of being lustful, lascivious, and lacking in restraint or respect.
- It can describe a person's character, their specific actions, or even their facial expression (e.g., a look or a smile).
Examples
- Adjective:
- The villain in the story was portrayed as a lecherous old man.
- He was fired for making lecherous comments to his coworkers.
- She felt uncomfortable under his lecherous gaze.
Advanced Usage
- "Lecherous intent": Indicates that someone's actions or looks are driven by inappropriate sexual desire.
- The security guard was accused of following women with lecherous intent.
- Describing abstract qualities:
- The film was criticized for its lecherous portrayal of the female characters.
Variants and Related Words
- Lecher (noun): A man who is lecherous.
- He gained a reputation as a lecher.
- Lecherously (adverb): In a lecherous manner.
- He grinned lecherously.
- Lecherousness (noun): The quality or state of being lecherous.
- His lecherousness was well known among his colleagues.
Synonyms
- Lascivious: Feeling or revealing an overt and often offensive sexual desire.
- Lewd: Crude and offensive in a sexual way.
- Lustful: Having or showing strong feelings of sexual desire.
- Libidinous: Having or characterized by lustful desires.
- Salacious: Having or conveying undue or inappropriate interest in sexual matters.
Antonyms
- Chaste: Abstaining from extramarital, or from all, sexual intercourse; not having any sexual nature or intention.
- Pure: Free of any contamination (moral or physical); not involving sexual activity or connotations.
- Decorous: In keeping with good taste and propriety; polite and restrained.
Idioms and Phrases
- "A lecherous old goat": A common, somewhat idiomatic insult for an older man perceived as being inappropriately sexual.
- The retired professor was often described behind his back as a lecherous old goat.
Adjective
- given to excessive indulgence in sexual activity
- a lecherous gleam in his eye
- a lecherous good-for-nothing