SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

erotica

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction erot·i·ca \ i-ˈrä-ti-kə \

Definition of erotica

1 :literary or artistic works having an erotic theme or quality

2 :depictions of things erotic

Origin and Etymology of erotica

New Latin, from Greek erōtika, neuter plural of erōtikos

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1819

See Words from the same year

EROTICA Defined for English Language Learners

erotica

noun

Definition of erotica for English Language Learners

: works of art or literature that deal with sex and are meant to cause sexual feelings : erotic works

Medical Dictionary

erotica

noun plural but singular or plural in construction erot·i·ca \ i-ˈrät-i-kə \

medical Definition of erotica

:literary or artistic works having an erotic theme or quality

Learn More about erotica

See words that rhyme with erotica Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about erotica

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up erotica? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

malign

play

to speak evil of

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

alt-59e77dc36c593

The Origins of 'Lobbyist'

From the front hallways to the back rooms

alt-59e673567065d

The History of the Word 'Terrorism'

Noah Webster first entered the term in 1840

alt-59e65152518a6

'Regimen' vs. 'Regiment'

The rule of thumb for words about rules

alt-59e50f5a357b4

'Spox' May Go On The Record

From newsroom lingo to the mainstream

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

one-green-toy-robot-amidst-many-red-toy-robots

The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these things doesn't belong?

Take the quiz

knupfer-painting-solon-before-croesus

Forms of Government Quiz

Name that government! Or something like that.

Take the quiz

Name That Thing

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

Take the quiz

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Word Winder's CrossWinder

A game of winding words.

Play the game