allowed, recognized, or sanctioned by law; legal
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
law•ful /ˈlɔfəl/USA pronunciation
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Lawallowed by law:a lawful enterprise.
- Lawrecognized by law;
legally qualified;
legitimate:a lawful king.
law•ful
(lô′fəl),USA pronunciation adj.
law′ful•ly, adv.
law′ful•ness, n.
- Lawallowed or permitted by law;
not contrary to law:a lawful enterprise. - Lawrecognized or sanctioned by law;
legitimate:a lawful marriage; a lawful heir. - Lawappointed or recognized by law;
legally qualified:a lawful king. - acting or living according to the law;
law-abiding:a lawful man; a lawful community.
- Middle English laghful. See law1, -ful 1250–1300
law′ful•ness, n.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged legal.
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged licit.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'lawful' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
absolute impediment
- adultery
- aggravated trespass
- arrest
- attach
- attachment
- bona fide
- criminal
- de facto
- deportation
- distribution
- false imprisonment
- fishable
- forfeit
- habeas corpus
- halal
- insurgent
- jail
- just
- justifiable homicide
- legal
- legality
- legalize
- legitim
- legitimate
- legitimist
- licentious
- licit
- misfeasance
- non licet
- occasion
- permissible
- purchase
- quasi-lawful
- re-dress
- recapture
- relative impediment
- repudiation
- rescue
- right
- tax avoidance
- titleship
- unearned
- unlawful
- vigilante
- wireroom