Lawful meaning

lô'fəl
Being within the law; allowed by law.

Lawful methods of dissent.

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The definition of lawful is something that is legal or that is permitted or accepted by governing principles and rules of law.

Driving within the speed limit and obeying the rules of the road is an example of lawful behavior.

A child born within the confines of a legal marriage is an example of a lawful child.

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Established, sanctioned, or recognized by the law.

The lawful heir.

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In conformity with the principles of the law; permitted by law.

A lawful act.

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Recognized by or established by law; just or valid.

Lawful debts.

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Obeying the law; law-abiding.
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Permissible; not contravening a law.
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Conforming to, or recognised by law or rules.
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Obeying the law; law-abiding.
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Origin of lawful

  • From Middle English laweful, equivalent to law +"Ž -ful, conflated with Middle English leful, leeful, leveful (“according to law, lawful, pertaining to law"). See also leveful.
    From Wiktionary

Lawful Sentence Examples

  • few weeks later the Polish commander-in-chief formed a whole series of conspiracies for the purpose of dethroning his lawful sovereign, and openly placed himself beneath the protection of Louis XIV.

  • c. i, and, without admitting that the canons of the church, which are not binding on the laity, could specify a lawful cause for rejection, held that no lawful cause within the meaning of either the canons or the rubric had been shown.

  • Young Adams graduated from Harvard College in 1740, and three years later, on attaining the degree of A.M., chose for his thesis, "Whether it be Lawful to resist the Supreme Magistrate, if the Commonwealth cannot otherwise be preserved."

  • Or would she be merely submitting to his lawful privileges?

  • on matters of faith arose, "a lawful and free council, determining according to Scripture, is the best judge on earth."

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Also Mentioned In

Words near lawful in the Dictionary