adj
Uncommon
lawless
LAW-luhs
Lawless (adj) means having no laws or effective government controlling it. Example: “The frontier town was virtually lawless in its early years.”
adj
1
Having no laws or effective government controlling it.
"The frontier town was virtually lawless in its early years."
"Parts of the region became lawless during the civil war."
2
Ignoring or violating the law; unruly and out of control.
"The mob's lawless behaviour left several shops wrecked."
How to use lawless
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWithout law, or refusing to obey it.
Common pairings
a lawless society
lawless behaviour
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more lawless
- Superlative
- most lawless
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The frontier town was virtually _____ in its early years.
Etymology
From Middle English laweles — "law" plus the negating suffix "-less."
Related words
Rhymes for lawless
See all rhymes for lawless →Frequently asked questions
What does “lawless” mean?
The word “lawless” means having no laws or effective government controlling it. In plain terms, without law, or refusing to obey it.
How do you pronounce “lawless”?
“Lawless” is pronounced LAW-luhs (/ˈlɔːləs/ in IPA).
How do you use “lawless” in a sentence?
Here is “lawless” used in a sentence: “The frontier town was virtually lawless in its early years.”
What part of speech is “lawless”?
“Lawless” is an adjective.
Where does the word “lawless” come from?
The word “lawless” comes from Middle English. From Middle English laweles — "law" plus the negating suffix "-less.".
Is “lawless” a common word?
“Lawless” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “lawless” have?
“Lawless” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having no laws or effective government controlling it.
