lawful

Everyday

1. Lawful means allowed by the law, legal. tree →
2. Lawful can also mean obeying the law or right according to rules. tree →

In the lessons

In citizenship and social studies lessons, lawful actions follow a country's laws; unlawful ones break them. In stories and games, a lawful character follows rules and respects order. Police must act in a lawful way too. Phrases: lawful owner, lawful right, lawful behaviour, lawful and unlawful.

Examples

• It is lawful to ride a bike on this path. tree →
• The police must use only lawful methods. tree →
• She is the lawful owner of the house. tree →
• Fishing here without a licence is not lawful. tree →
• Citizens have the lawful right to vote. tree →
• In the story, the knight was lawful and fair. tree →
• The first care of Adrastus was to aid Polynices in regaining possession of his lawful share in the government of Thebes. tree →

Note

A formal word; «legal» is more common. Opposite: «unlawful» or «illegal». Noun: law. Adverb: lawfully. Laws differ between countries, so something lawful in one country may be unlawful in another.

In Jewish tradition

Here it means doing what is right under God's law, with justice and fairness.

Interpretation. Ezekiel teaches that each person is judged by his own deeds. A wicked person who turns back and does what is lawful and right will live.

Examples

• But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, (Prophets EZK.18.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• And when the wicked turneth from his wickedness, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby. (Prophets EZK.33.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all My statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live. (Prophets EZK.18.19, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

A formal word; «legal» is more common. Opposite: «unlawful» or «illegal». Noun: law. Adverb: lawfully. Laws differ between countries, so something lawful in one country may be unlawful in another.