Venus

noun

Ve·​nus ˈvē-nəs 

1

: the Roman goddess of love and beauty compare aphrodite

2

: the planet second in order from the sun see Planets Table

Examples of Venus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The month comes to an end with Venus opposite Pluto, putting your identity under pressure while forcing you to confront power dynamics in your one-on-one relationships. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025

One of the most positive transits of the year is Venus-Jupiter’s conjunction in Cancer on August 12. —Colin Bedell, Them., 5 Aug. 2025

Rise an hour before sunrise and look to the east-northeast to see Venus and Jupiter less than a degree apart — the width of a finger held at arm’s length against the sky. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025

What's more, Venus and Jupiter's cosmic rendezvous should take place against a backdrop of bright stars – including Orion, Taurus, Gemini and Sirius. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin Vener-, Venus, deified abstraction from an originally neuter common noun venus "sexual desire, qualities exciting desire, charm"; akin to Sanskrit vanate "(s/he) likes, takes pleasure in," -vana- "loving," vāñchati "(s/he) desires, wishes," Old English wȳscan "to wish," wunian "to remain, dwell," Old Norse una "to be satisfied"

Note: Latin venus, as probably also Vedic Sanskrit vanas-, a hapax legomenon of uncertain meaning, is an s-stem derivative from a verbal base going back to Indo-European *wenH- "wish, desire," most likely distinct from *wen- "struggle, gain"; see win entry 1.

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Venus

• Venus flytrap
• Venus hair
• Venus hair fern
• Venus's flower-basket

Rhymes for Venus

• cleanness
• freeness
• genus
• minas
• penis
• venous
• arteriovenous
• dominus
• fraxinus
• lupinus
• ricinus
• silenus

Kids Definition

Venus

noun

Ve·​nus ˈvē-nəs 

: the planet second in order from the sun see planet