erotica

noun

erot·​i·​ca i-ˈrä-ti-kə How to pronounce erotica (audio)
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
1
: literary or artistic works having an erotic theme or quality
2
: depictions of things erotic

Examples of erotica in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Nobel-winning authors, Dungeons and Dragons, Christian literature, and erotica all serve as datapoints for the machine. Alex Reisner, The Atlantic, 25 Sep. 2023 Joyce and Doug ended last season on the outs as business partners, even though the fusion of her feminist intellect with his sensational instincts gave the magazine its ethos as the thinking woman’s erotica. Alison Herman, Variety, 21 July 2023 Which is probably why every class of erotica is streaming all over screens big, small, and handheld. Deanna Janes, Harper's BAZAAR, 27 June 2023 The documents show that in August 2019 the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notified South Dakota authorities of an AOL account that had images of child pornography and child erotica. Greg Moran, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2023 This Spanish erotica is more than pretty bodies. Keith Nelson, Men's Health, 31 Jan. 2023 As if to offset this thoroughly modern material, which casts internet ignominy and gender dynamics under a satirical lens, the filmmaker opted for a throwback aesthetic, aping the soft-focus of 1970s soft-core erotica and the unsettling rhythms of cheap horror. Ben Croll, Variety, 24 Jan. 2022 With no historical record, scholars have pondered the meaning of Moche’s erotica. Ryan Dube, WSJ, 28 Mar. 2022 The General Assembly this year passed the bill banning child erotica. BostonGlobe.com, 4 Nov. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'erotica.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek erōtika, neuter plural of erōtikos

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of erotica was in 1819

Dictionary Entries Near erotica

Cite this Entry

“Erotica.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erotica. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.

Medical Definition

erotica

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction
erot·​i·​ca i-ˈrät-i-kə How to pronounce erotica (audio)
: literary or artistic works having an erotic theme or quality

More from Merriam-Webster on erotica

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