eroticism

noun

erot·​i·​cism i-ˈrä-tə-ˌsi-zəm 

1

: an erotic theme or quality

2

: a state of sexual arousal

3

: insistent sexual impulse or desire

eroticist

i-ˈrä-tə-sist 

noun

Synonyms

• lust
• lustfulness
• passion
• eros

Examples of eroticism in a Sentence

the subtle eroticism of his films

an actress known for her smoldering eroticism

Recent Examples on the Web

The line between pornography and eroticism is one the show considers: Edelheit eschewed harmful or hurtful images, like bondage, beatings, or domination and those where bodies were abused in any way. —Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2025

One of the characteristics that differentiate this project from the rest is the combination of humor/comedy and eroticism. —John Hopewell, Variety, 20 Jan. 2025

Nosferatu is summoned from the occult niche of the Eggers universe viewers are now familiar with: remnants of The Lighthouse (2019) and The Northman (2022) ooze through the Gothic gloom and nauseating eroticism. —Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024

In the 1970s, eroticism was situated between what was shown and what was hidden. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 20 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for eroticism

• activism
• ageism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism

Medical Definition

eroticism

noun

erot·​i·​cism i-ˈrät-ə-ˌsiz-əm 

1

: the arousal of or the attempt to arouse sexual feeling by means of suggestion, symbolism, or allusion (as in an art form)

2

: a state of sexual arousal or anticipation (as from stimulation of erogenous zones)

3

: insistent sexual impulse or desire