erotica
noun
erot·i·ca
i-ˈrä-ti-kə 
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
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
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.
Copy Citation
Medical Definition
erotica
noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction
erot·i·ca
i-ˈrät-i-kə
: literary or artistic works having an erotic theme or quality
More from Merriam-Webster on erotica
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about erotica
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share