exhibitionism

noun ex·hi·bi·tion·ism \ ˌek-sə-ˈbi-shə-ˌni-zəm \

Definition of exhibitionism

1 a :a perversion in which sexual gratification is obtained from the indecent exposure of one's genitals (as to a stranger)

b :an act of such exposure

2 :the act or practice of behaving so as to attract attention to oneself

—

exhibitionist

play \ˌek-sə-ˈbish-nist, -ˈbi-shə-\ noun or adjective

—

exhibitionistic

play \ˌek-sə-ˌbi-shə-ˈni-stik\ adjective

—

exhibitionistically

play \ˌek-sə-ˌbi-shə-ˈni-sti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See exhibitionism defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of exhibitionism from the Web

Quattlebaum briefly attended both the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Parsons School of Design, and his videos and stage shows maintain an art-school exhibitionism.

— mykki blanco, The New Yorker, "Mykki Blanco," 31 Mar. 2017
Novogratz conveys Spike’s proclivity for exhibitionism and incessant yet shallow sunniness, and Keri Hellmuth aptly portrays Sonia and Vanya’s sometimes precognitive cleaning woman, aptly named Cassandra, as a comically eccentric misfit.

— Orange County Register, "Durang channels Chekhov with ‘Vanya and Sonia’ in Fullerton," 17 Jan. 2017
As distress and distaste swirl around issues of privacy, exhibitionism and other occupational hazards of social media, a select few holdouts of the tech-savvy age are following Ms. Moshfegh’s example.

— teddy wayne, New York Times, "A Certain Word Is Really Getting on My Nerves MARCH 12, 2016," 26 Mar. 2016
Steve Quake’s genomic exhibitionism wasn’t sufficient to convince the genomics community of the value of Helicos’ cumbersome, high-error sequencing platform, and the company’s financial fortunes have since largely stagnated.

— daniel macarthur, WIRED, "CEOmics: Biotech Executives Share Their Genomes With The World," 22 Feb. 2011

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exhibitionism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of exhibitionism

1891

EXHIBITIONISM Defined for English Language Learners

exhibitionism

noun

Definition of exhibitionism for English Language Learners

: behavior that is meant to attract attention to yourself

Medical Dictionary

exhibitionism

noun ex·hi·bi·tion·ism \ ˌek-sə-ˈbish-ə-niz-əm \

medical Definition of exhibitionism

1 a :a perversion marked by a tendency to indecent exposure

b :an act of such exposure

2 :the act or practice of behaving so as to attract attention to oneself

Learn More about exhibitionism

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

Seen and Heard

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

show

exhibitionism

Definition of exhibitionism

exhibitionist

exhibitionistic

exhibitionistically

Recent Examples of exhibitionism from the Web

First Known Use of exhibitionism

EXHIBITIONISM Defined for English Language Learners

exhibitionism

Definition of exhibitionism for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

exhibitionism

medical Definition of exhibitionism

Learn More about exhibitionism

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

nuncupative

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

I'll Have the Us(ual)

The Origins of 'Lobbyist'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

The Exceptions Quiz III

Forms of Government Quiz

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066

exhibitionism

Definition of exhibitionism

exhibitionist

exhibitionistic

exhibitionistically

Read the Latest from M-W

Recent Examples of exhibitionism from the Web

First Known Use of exhibitionism

EXHIBITIONISM Defined for English Language Learners

exhibitionism

Definition of exhibitionism for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

exhibitionism

medical Definition of exhibitionism

Learn More about exhibitionism

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066