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 of eroticism

• 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

Comprising irregular, curling and warped forms, the bed is crafted from stainless steel, powder coated in pink and black shades, with its design reportedly informed by female eroticism and intuition. —Francesca Perry, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026

Equally important was resisting a reductive reading of eroticism as merely explicit. —George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 20 Apr. 2026

There were few photographers who worked with gay male eroticism in any serious or direct way at the time. —Andrew Durbin, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026

The book’s eroticism mostly comes from the words exchanged between Cathy and Heathcliff, many of which do make it into Fennell’s film. —Ellise Shafer, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026

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