arousal

noun

arous·​al ə-ˈrau̇-zəl 

plural arousals

1

: the act of arousing someone or something

arousal from sleep

This belated arousal of the hunting instinct seemed to make almost another man of him.

—Jack London

: the state of being aroused

His work with animals had implicated adrenaline and noradrenaline in emotional arousal and memory.

—Daniel Goleman

2

: a state of physiological and psychological excitation caused by sexual contact or other erotic stimulation

Studies show 60% of patients taking the drugs experience some form of sexual dysfunction, ranging from loss of desire to problems with arousal and an inability to reach orgasm.

—Tara Parker-Pope

Examples of arousal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Light kink—like spanking, kink nails, praise kink with a gentle choke or warm/cool sensation play can amplify arousal and build trust. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 8 Apr. 2025

Now Warning Issued To All iPhone Users NYT Mini Today: Hints, Clues And Answers For Wednesday, April 2 Cory Booker Breaks Record With 25-Hour Speech Blasting Trump Without realizing it, drama can become an unconscious way to maintain that familiar state of arousal. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025

Promising to enhance intimacy and improve arousal naturally, this product is making waves among those looking to reignite passion in their relationships. —Chloe Castleberry, Flow Space, 26 Mar. 2025

But doing vigorous exercise in the moment when you’re already feeling enraged can actually keep that feeling alive by prolonging the physiological arousal state of being angry, Dr. Martin explains. —Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

arouse + -al entry 2

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing arousal

• hyper-arousal

Rhymes for arousal

• espousal
• spousal

Medical Definition

arousal

noun

arous·​al ə-ˈrau̇-zəl 

1

a

: the act of arousing

arousal from sleep

b

: the state of being aroused

specifically : responsiveness to stimuli

… cells of the locus coeruleus, a brain center involved in maintaining attention and arousal …

—Science

2

: a state of physiological and psychological excitation caused by sexual contact or other erotic stimulation

Studies show 60% of patients taking the drugs experience some form of sexual dysfunction, ranging from loss of desire to problems with arousal …

—Tara Parker-Pope, The Wall Street Journal