Licentiousness means having very little or no moral or sexual restraint, especially ignoring commonly accepted rules about sex and proper behavior.

Quick definition

  • As a general moral idea : Licentiousness is a disregard for law, morality, and social norms, doing whatever you want even when it’s clearly considered wrong or harmful by your community.
  • In modern usage : It usually refers to uncontrolled or socially unacceptable sexual behavior, similar to being promiscuous, dissolute, or “sexually out of control.”
  • In religious or moral discussions : It often describes behavior that ignores moral teaching, especially in the area of sexuality (for example, “sexual licentiousness” in sermons or Bible commentaries).

Simple example

  • “The party got so licentious that several guests left early because they were uncomfortable with the wild and immoral behavior.”

Word family and nuance

  • Licentious (adjective): “He led a licentious lifestyle.”
  • Licentiousness (noun): “The licentiousness of the group shocked the small town.”

Compared with related words:

  • Immoral : Broadly wrong by moral standards (not always about sex).
  • Debauched / dissolute : Excessive indulgence in pleasures (often drinking, drugs, sex).
  • Lascivious / lecherous : Strongly focused on lustful or inappropriate sexual desire.

How people use it today

  • In formal writing or news, you might see it in discussions of scandals, abuse of power, or “moral decline.”
  • In religious or ethical contexts, it’s used to warn against living only for pleasure and ignoring moral boundaries.
  • Online forums sometimes use it jokingly or dramatically to describe characters in TV shows, novels, or celebrity behavior.

TL;DR: Licentiousness is a formal word for behavior that ignores moral rules, especially in sexual matters, often implying wild, irresponsible, or shameless conduct.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.