# lawfully

/ˈɫɔfəɫi/ (US) · /lˈɔːfəli/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lawfully
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

in a way that follows the law or is allowed by legal rules. You use this to describe actions that are officially permitted.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He acted lawful in this situation" but "He acted lawfully in this situation" — Learners often use the adjective 'lawful' when the adverbial form 'lawfully' is required to modify an action.

## Usage notes

- Typically follows the verb it modifies or appears at the end of the clause.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.