Word
lawfully
Phoneticslaw·ful·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫɔfəɫi/
UK/lˈɔːfəli/
Adverb of manner
Definition
adv. in a way that follows the law or is allowed by legal rules. You use this to describe actions that are officially permitted.
adv. in a manner that conforms to the law or is permitted by legal statutes.
Examples
“The business operates lawfully and pays all its taxes.”
“The police confirmed that the protesters were acting lawfully as long as they remained on public property.”
“The tribunal must determine whether the evidence was lawfully obtained before it can be admitted into the formal proceedings of the court.”
Examples
simple
“The business operates lawfully and pays all its taxes.”
contextual
“The police confirmed that the protesters were acting lawfully as long as they remained on public property.”
complex
“The tribunal must determine whether the evidence was lawfully obtained before it can be admitted into the formal proceedings of the court.”
Usage
Typically follows the verb it modifies or appears at the end of the clause.
Pitfall
He acted lawful in this situation
He acted lawfully in this situation
Learners often use the adjective 'lawful' when the adverbial form 'lawfully' is required to modify an action.
Real-World Examples
“There is little they can do in those 60 days that would allow them to lawfully remain in the U.S.” Etymology
From Middle English lawefully, lawfulliche, lawefulliche; equivalent to lawful + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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