libido

noun li·bi·do \ lə-ˈbē-(ˌ)dō also ˈli-bə-ˌdō \

|Updated on: 2 Aug 2018

Definition of libido

plural libidos

1 : instinctual psychic energy that in psychoanalytic theory is derived from primitive biological urges (as for sexual pleasure or self-preservation) and that is expressed in conscious activity

2 : sexual drive

The drug was used to increase libido.

See libido defined for English-language learners

Examples of libido in a Sentence

Lack of libido may be a sign of depression.

Recent Examples of libido from the Web

By 1985, in one of the crueler ironies of the century, gay men had learned that the liberation of the libido, the casting-off of eons-old shame, had exposed them to an implacable, hitherto unknown virus.

— michael cunningham, New York Times, "Surviving AIDS, but at What Cost?," 25 June 2018
As Paskin writes: Roth, of course, is a great, complicated novelist, a post-war titan who did not or could not always see female characters outside of context of the male libido.

— anna silman, The Cut, "Here’s How People Are Remembering Philip Roth," 23 May 2018
The mere scent or sound of humans can lower libido, dissuade predators from pursuing prey or interfere with critical communication.

— katherine j. wu, Smithsonian, "How Humans Created the Ultimate Superpests," 9 July 2018
Bluntly speaking, Mars retrograde means a lack of energy, low libido, disinterest in hitting the gym, and a general lethargy.

— sophie saint thomas, Allure, "How Mars Retrograde Will Affect Your Love Life and Career This Summer," 2 July 2018
Here’s a quick summary: Eckert had been the CEO of Sprout Pharmaceuticals, the company behind female libido drug Addyi.

— polina marinova, Fortune, "What the Entrepreneur Behind 'Female Viagra' Has Learned In the Last 2 Years," 25 June 2018
Red blood cell production may decline, along with a drop in libido and sperm production, plus erectile dysfunction.

— bryant stamford, The Courier-Journal, "Testosterone replacement therapy is tough. Why don't we talk about it?," 17 May 2018
With his career-making novel Portnoy’s Complaint (1969), Roth emerged as a savagely funny satirist of American mores and celebrator of the male libido.

— jeet heer, The New Republic, "Commentary still can’t forgive Philip Roth.," 24 May 2018
For example, obesity and being sedentary may be the root cause of lack of energy, a low libido and other symptoms.

— bryant stamford, The Courier-Journal, "Testosterone replacement therapy is tough. Why don't we talk about it?," 17 May 2018

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

Did You Know?

The Latin word libido, meaning "desire, lust", was borrowed by Sigmund Freud as the name for a concept in his own theories. At first he defined libido to mean the instinctual energy associated with the sex drive. Later he broadened the word's meaning and began using it to mean the mental energy behind purposeful human activity of any kind; in other words, the libido (for which Freud also used the term eros, a Greek word meaning "sexual love") came to be regarded as the life instinct, which included sex along with all the other impulses we rely on to keep us alive. But those of us who aren't psychologists use the word simply as a synonym for "sex drive".

Origin and Etymology of libido

New Latin libidin-, libido, from Latin, desire, lust, from libēre to please — more at love

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1909

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

LIBIDO Defined for English Language Learners

libido

noun

Definition of libido for English Language Learners

: a person's desire to have sex

Medical Dictionary

libido

noun li·bi·do \ lə-ˈbēd-(ˌ)ō also ˈlib-ə-ˌdō or lə-ˈbī-(ˌ)dō \

medical Definition of libido

plural libidos

1 : instinctual psychic energy that in psychoanalytic theory is derived from primitive biological urges (as for sexual pleasure or self-preservation) and that is expressed in conscious activity

2 : sexual drive