Standard Lemma guide

lawfully

adv · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • CMU ARPABET: L AO1 F AH0 L IY0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adv

Meaning 1

Conforming to the law; legally.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: licitly

Antonyms: none provided

2

adverb

Meaning 2

by law; conforming to the law

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • we are lawfully wedded now

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: legally, de jure

Antonyms: unlawfully

3

adverb

Meaning 3

in a manner acceptable to common custom

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • you cannot do this legitimately!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: legitimately, licitly

Antonyms: lawlessly

History

Etymology

From Middle English lawefully, lawfulliche, lawefulliche; equivalent to lawful + -ly.