aphrodisiac

noun

aph·​ro·​di·​si·​ac ˌa-frə-ˈdē-zē-ˌak How to pronounce aphrodisiac (audio) -ˈdi-zē- How to pronounce aphrodisiac (audio)
: an agent (such as a food or drug) that arouses or is held to arouse sexual desire
aphrodisiac adjective
or less commonly aphrodisiacal

Examples of aphrodisiac in a Sentence

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.
Hunters use them to chase the houbara bustard across deserts in the Gulf, Iraq, and Pakistan — not just for sport, but also for meat believed to have aphrodisiac qualities. Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2025 Add aphrodisiacs like apples, avocados, beets, dark chocolate, strawberries, and oysters to your routine. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 5 Aug. 2025 Rich in beneficial compounds such as amino acids, polyphenols, lecithin, gallic acid, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, Mucuna is used as a rejuvenating and aphrodisiac remedy in Ayurvedic medicine, and even to heal snake bites. Alessandra Signorelli, Glamour, 21 July 2025 And in the face of tragic circumstances, seeing people care — really care — is a powerful aphrodisiac. Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for aphrodisiac

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of aphrodisiac was in 1711

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Cite this Entry

“Aphrodisiac.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aphrodisiac. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

aphrodisiac

1 of 2 adjective
aph·​ro·​di·​si·​ac ˌaf-rə-ˈdē-zē-ˌak How to pronounce aphrodisiac (audio) -ˈdiz-ē- How to pronounce aphrodisiac (audio)
variants also aphrodisiacal
: exciting sexual desire

aphrodisiac

2 of 2 noun
: an aphrodisiac agent
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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