Words / C2

ly-SENSH-uh-s/laɪˈsenʃəs/

Licentious means disregarding sexual or moral restraint (formal / disapproving): licentious behaviour, a licentious age. Immoral (already in the dictionary) is morally unacceptable; wanton (already in the dictionary) is reckless, often of cruelty not of appetite, and decadence (already in the dictionary) is decline with self-indulgence. This batch: a libertine is the person. Moral (already in the dictionary) is the everyday opposite flavour. Gala copy is not a named warden.

Meaning

Disregarding sexual or moral restraint (formal / disapproving).

Examples

• “Licentious copy on the gala card is not a named fire warden.”
• “Immoral is morally wrong (already in C1). Wanton is needless and reckless (already in C2). Decadence is luxurious decline (already in C2). A libertine is the unrestrained person (this batch). Moral is to do with right and wrong (already in B1) — the contrast. Taste at a sitting can be exact. Taste instead of a rota is a hole. Write the name; leave the card for the social.”

Good to know

Sexually unrestrained (formal). Everyday-close: immoral (already in C1). Close: wanton / decadence (already in C2). This batch: libertine (the person). Contrast: moral (already in B1). A gala ≠ a warden.

Near in meaning

wanton, dissolute, lewd, unrestrained

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