aphrodisiac

noun

aph·​ro·​di·​si·​ac ˌa-frə-ˈdē-zē-ˌak  -ˈdi-zē- 

: an agent (such as a food or drug) that arouses or is held to arouse sexual desire

aphrodisiac adjective

or less commonly aphrodisiacal

ˌa-frə-di-ˈsī-ə-kəl 

-ˈzī-

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

It is often used as an aphrodisiac and is frequently combined with other natural herbs. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2023

And its scent has been shown to work as an aphrodisiac on rats. —Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 8 Dec. 2022

Several Mediterranean cultures have used it as an aphrodisiac. —Dallas News, 12 Aug. 2022

Looking for the top 15 aphrodisiac gummies in 2023? —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 25 Dec. 2022

Love Euphoric focuses on this idea of euphoric, blissful, optimistic love that comes with a first crush, built around a bouquet of aphrodisiac florals: ylang-ylang, jasmine, and rose absolute. —Kara Baskin, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Dec. 2022

Grab a few bars of different flavors or varieties and test out whether chocolate really is an aphrodisiac. —Lizz Schumer, Good Housekeeping, 13 Dec. 2022

According to the brand Santa Maria Novella, vanilla was actually thought of as an aphrodisiac in ancient times. —Jamie Wilson, Harper's BAZAAR, 1 Nov. 2022

Although there's no hard science to back it up, locals claim the onions have a wide range of health benefits from combating old age, to acting as an aphrodisiac. —Silvia Marchetti, CNN, 8 Oct. 2022

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Word History

Etymology

Greek aphrodisiakos sexual, gem with aphrodisiac properties, from aphrodisia heterosexual pleasures, from neuter plural of aphrodisios of Aphrodite, from Aphroditē

First Known Use

1711, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing aphrodisiac

• anti-aphrodisiac

• anti-aphrodisiac

Medical Definition

aphrodisiac

1 of 2 adjective

aph·​ro·​di·​si·​ac ˌaf-rə-ˈdē-zē-ˌak  -ˈdiz-ē- 

variants also aphrodisiacal

ˌaf-rəd-ə-ˈzī-ə-kəl  -ˈsī- 

: exciting sexual desire

aphrodisiac

2 of 2 noun

: an aphrodisiac agent