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

Cannabis, on the other hand, is a relatively newer player in the realm of aphrodisiacs—at least in the West. —Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 27 May 2025

That all of these strike me as sophisticated, seductive scents is unsurprising considering saffron is said to be an aphrodisiac. —Kate Guadagnino, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2025

Blanchett strides through the movie with lioness grace; Fassbender makes George’s robotic use of logic seem like an aphrodisiac. —Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 6 Mar. 2025

These edible aphrodisiacs not only tantalize the taste buds but also set the stage for a romantic evening. —Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 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