aphrodisiac

play

noun aph·ro·di·si·ac \ ˌa-frə-ˈdē-zē-ˌak , -ˈdi-zē- \

Definition of aphrodisiac

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

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aphrodisiac

or less commonly aphrodisiacal play \ˌa-frə-di-ˈsī-ə-kəl, -ˈzī-\ adjective

See aphrodisiac defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of aphrodisiac from the Web

Oh, and basil, an herb that Fellini would notably request in his meals, for its aphrodisiac effects.

— Vanities, "Some of the Best Scents of Summer 2017," 6 July 2017
Oh, and basil, an herb that Fellini would notably request in his meals, for its aphrodisiac effects.

— vanityfair.com, "Some of the Best Scents of Summer 2017," 6 July 2017
High prices for crocodile skin, meat, and penises—used as an aphrodisiac across East Africa— have attracted some professional hunters, even as larger numbers of impoverished local people try to muscle in on the trade.

— National Geographic, "Crocodile Poaching Booms as Egypt Tourism Crumbles," 23 June 2017
The dried roots of the plant have been coveted for centuries in East Asia as an energy-enhancer, aphrodisiac and all-purpose tonic.

— bruce henderson, charlotteobserver, "‘Green gold’ grows in the NC hills. But you’ll need a permit, and luck, to reap it.," 20 June 2017
The tension inherent in book-club discussion can be its own aphrodisiac, too.

— jason chen, The Cut, "Delete Grindr. Join Book Club.," 20 June 2017
They are valued in several cultures for their emblematic horns, believed to have medicinal and aphrodisiac benefits.

— greg mellen, Orange County Register, "South African rides through Orange County to save rhinos," 11 June 2017
Whether or not oysters are your aphrodisiac, plenty of other nosh options will be on hand, with Sierra Nevada brews, craft cocktails and wines to wash it down.

— lisa deaderick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Top weekend events: Oysterfest, Greek Festival, Mainly Mozart," 9 June 2017
Snake blood is infused into rice wine in the same region, and consumed for its purported aphrodisiac qualities.

— thomas page, CNN, "Dine macabre: When blood is on the menu," 30 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aphrodisiac.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of aphrodisiac

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

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First Known Use: 1711

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