What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fornication
Example
The church forbids fornication and considers it a sin. [fornication: noun]
Example
She was accused of fornicating with her boyfriend before marriage. [fornicating: verb]
licentiousness
Example
His licentiousness led to his downfall and ruined his reputation. [licentiousness: noun]
Example
She was known for her licentious behavior and scandalous affairs. [licentious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fornication is a more commonly used term than licentiousness in legal or religious contexts. However, both words are not commonly used in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fornication and licentiousness?
Both fornication and licentiousness are formal terms that are not typically used in casual conversation. However, fornication may be used in more formal settings such as legal or religious contexts.
