Describes something sexually suggestive, morally corrupt, or decadent in a literary or formal register. Often used for atmosphere, art, or behavior.
That novel contains many obscene descriptions.
His lewd smile was unpleasant.
Standard kanji spelling; the word is almost always written in kanji.
Compound of 淫 (いん, 'lewd, excessive') and 靡 (び, 'seductive, beautiful'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination conveys a sense of decadent, alluring obscenity.