eroticism

noun

erot·​i·​cism i-ˈrä-tə-ˌsi-zəm 

1

: an erotic theme or quality

2

: a state of sexual arousal

3

: insistent sexual impulse or desire

eroticist

i-ˈrä-tə-sist 

noun

Synonyms

• lust
• lustfulness
• passion
• eros

Examples of eroticism in a Sentence

the subtle eroticism of his films

an actress known for her smoldering eroticism

Recent Examples on the Web

Groups of bathers, wrestlers, and ironworkers radiate eroticism, but the couples resort to shibboleths, such as the middle finger extended, during a shoulder touch, in Jacques-Émile Blanche’s portrait of himself and his lover. —Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 15 July 2025

There’s not much room for nuance here — the political horse-trading involved in creating this opportunity is particularly unconvincing — and the film’s leering eroticism undercuts the seriousness of its case for women as equals on the battlefield. —Scott Tobias, Vulture, 20 Nov. 2024

So naturally, themes like desire, eroticism and religion emerge as tools to think about the tensions of my characters within the film’s world. —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2025

Sexuality and eroticism should be seen as something that brings us pleasure and joy—not something to be feared. —Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for eroticism

• activism
• ageism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism

Medical Definition

eroticism

noun

erot·​i·​cism i-ˈrät-ə-ˌsiz-əm 

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