eroticism

[ ih-rot-uh-siz-uhm ]
See synonyms for eroticism on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the sexual or erotic quality or character of something.

  2. the use of sexually arousing or suggestive symbolism, settings, allusions, situations, etc., in art, literature, drama, or the like.

  1. the condition of being sexually aroused or excited.

  2. sexual drive or tendency.

  3. an abnormally persistent sexual drive.

Origin of eroticism

1
First recorded in 1880–85; erotic + -ism
  • Also er·o·tism [er-uh-tiz-uhm]. /ˈɛr əˌtɪz əm/.

Other words from eroticism

  • e·rot·i·cist, noun

Words Nearby eroticism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use eroticism in a sentence

  • Islam has a very rich tradition of sacred sexuality and eroticism.

    Osama's Dirty Mind | Asra Q. Nomani | May 14, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • And soon I became quite familiar with the devious, vicious, dirtily-pleasant eroticism of Soho.

    Tono Bungay | H. G. Wells
  • The sensuous and voluptuous libertine is enchanted by the eroticism of the “Roman Elegies.”

  • The antique bas-relief awakens the slumbering eroticism in him and makes the childhood memories active.

    Delusion and Dream | Wilhelm Jensen
  • Thus delusion triumphs anew every time that eroticism and resistance struggle anew.

    Delusion and Dream | Wilhelm Jensen
  • The rejection of the eroticism, which dominates him, expresses itself there in his abhorrence of honeymoon travellers.

    Delusion and Dream | Wilhelm Jensen

British Dictionary definitions for eroticism

eroticism

erotism (ˈɛrəˌtɪzəm)

/ (ɪˈrɒtɪˌsɪzəm) /


noun
  1. erotic quality or nature

  2. the use of sexually arousing or pleasing symbolism in literature or art

  1. sexual excitement or desire

  2. a tendency to exalt sex

  3. psychol an overt display of sexual behaviour

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012