libido

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

|Updated on: 7 Jun 2018

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

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
Just be patient with yourself as your libido is working itself back up to its usual place.

— sarah jio, Woman's Day, "A Month in the Life of Your Hormones," 27 May 2010
The Moon Juice founder enlisted Sweet Laurel bakery to create a custom, anti-inflammatory, libido-boosting wedding cake.

— christine muhlke, Bon Appetit, "Amanda Chantal Bacon's Wedding Cake Was Laced with Sex Dust Obviously," 4 May 2018
Her husband suffered from severe facial eczema: Her demand that Charles should give his razor a rest was most likely driven by concern for his rash, rather than her libido.

— elizabeth lowry, WSJ, "‘Victorians Undone’ Review: Bodies in Question," 4 May 2018
The temperature is rising and naturally so are all the libidos.

— allison p. davis, The Cut, "Last Night’s Atlanta Was All About Drake!," 13 Apr. 2018
The zinc found in oysters controls progesterone levels which are said to have a positive effect on the libido.

— Redbook, "Aphrodisiac Food & Wine Pairings to Prime Your Valentine," 9 Feb. 2011
But your estrogen and progesterone levels are at their lowest now, which could translate into two things: tiredness, though many women don't notice energy level dips; and low libido.

— sarah jio, Woman's Day, "A Month in the Life of Your Hormones," 27 May 2010

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

: 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 \

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