eroticism

noun

erot·​i·​cism i-ˈrä-tə-ˌsi-zəm How to pronounce eroticism (audio)
1
: an erotic theme or quality
2
: a state of sexual arousal
3
: insistent sexual impulse or desire
eroticist noun

Examples of eroticism in a Sentence

the subtle eroticism of his films an actress known for her smoldering eroticism
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But nothing gets at the unabashed nature of Babygirl’s eroticism like that shot of Samuel tenderly cradling his lover like a child after having spent long hours holed up in a hotel room together indulging in lovemaking and games of dominance and submission. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2024 Vampires always had this potential, and indeed the eroticism is there in the source text, which the movie makes some changes to. James Grebey, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024 Audrey said this film is an exploration of eroticism in the post-#MeToo era. Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Sep. 2024 Donning pounds of makeup to resemble Max Schreck in Murnau’s 1922 film, Klaus Kinski’s sympathetic take on Count Dracula emphasizes the vampire’s tragic loneliness, while Isabelle Adjani adds complex layers of eroticism to her Lucy Harker. Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for eroticism 

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of eroticism was in 1881

Dictionary Entries Near eroticism

Cite this Entry

“Eroticism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eroticism. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

eroticism

noun
erot·​i·​cism i-ˈrät-ə-ˌsiz-əm How to pronounce eroticism (audio)
1
: the arousal of or the attempt to arouse sexual feeling by means of suggestion, symbolism, or allusion (as in an art form)
2
: a state of sexual arousal or anticipation (as from stimulation of erogenous zones)
3
: insistent sexual impulse or desire

More from Merriam-Webster on eroticism

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