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-

Examples of aphrodisiac in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On one hand, there’s the ginger blend: fresh, spicy and aphrodisiac, delivering a fusing, intense freshness. —Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025

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

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

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