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.

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".

Examples of libido in a Sentence

Lack of libido may be a sign of depression.
Recent Examples on the Web Sidekick to: Jack Tripper Three's Company's Jack Tripper (John Ritter) had to sublimate his heterosexuality to keep Mr. Roper happy, but his good buddy Larry (Richard Kline) boasted enough libido for the both of them. Ew Staff Updated, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 Like the analyst’s couch, the crossword became an unexpected site for disclosing and disciplining the drives of libido. Anna Shechtman, Harper's Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024 Freud portrayed a world where everything is driven by libido; Frazer gave us a world in which everything hinges on fertility. Michelle Orange, Harper's Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023 Managing libido differences is a common part of relationships. Gina Cherelus, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2024 But what remained constant was that her libido was rarely, if ever, directed at another person, even her crushes. Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 14 Dec. 2023 There are aces who have high libidos and aces with none to speak of. Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 14 Dec. 2023 This supplement has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine to increase libido and improve erectile function. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2023 Researchers have not yet completed clinical trials to determine whether psilocybin can help with libido. Jennifer Chesak, Verywell Health, 13 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'libido.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of libido was in 1909

Dictionary Entries Near libido

Cite this Entry

“Libido.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/libido. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

libido

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

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