SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

nymphomaniac

noun
Save Word
nym·​pho·​ma·​ni·​ac | \ ˌnim(p)-fə-ˈmā-nē-ˌak How to pronounce nymphomaniac (audio) \
plural nymphomaniacs

Definition of nymphomaniac

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: one affected by nymphomania : a female who has an excessive desire for sexual activity A female cat can be a nymphomaniac, a problem brought about by excessive hormone production.— Warren Eckstein He bores the pants off you and she seems to be some kind of nymphomaniac—kept playing footsie with me in the restaurant.— David Lodge

nymphomaniac

adjective
\ ˌnim(p)-fə-mə-ˈnī-ə-kəl How to pronounce nymphomaniac (audio) \
variants: or nymphomaniacal

Definition of nymphomaniac (Entry 2 of 2)

: of, affected with, or characterized by nymphomania The patriarch of the family asks for the private eye's help after his nymphomaniac daughter becomes involved in blackmail and murder.— Mike Quinn nymphomaniacal tendencies

First Known Use of nymphomaniac

Noun

1828, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1831, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about nymphomaniac

Time Traveler for nymphomaniac

Time Traveler

The first known use of nymphomaniac was in 1828

See more words from the same year

Statistics for nymphomaniac

Cite this Entry

“Nymphomaniac.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nymphomaniac. Accessed 28 Jan. 2021.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for nymphomaniac

nymphomaniac

noun
How to pronounce nymphomaniac (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of nymphomaniac

: a woman who has an unusually strong desire to have sex very often

See the full definition for nymphomaniac in the English Language Learners Dictionary

nymphomaniac

noun
nym·​pho·​ma·​ni·​ac | \ -nē-ˌak How to pronounce nymphomaniac (audio) \

Medical Definition of nymphomaniac

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: one affected with nymphomania

nymphomaniac

adjective
variants: or nymphomaniacal \ -​mə-​ˈnī-​ə-​kəl How to pronounce nymphomaniac (audio) \

Medical Definition of nymphomaniac (Entry 2 of 2)

: of, affected with, or characterized by nymphomania

Comments on nymphomaniac

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

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

jeopardy

Listen to the pronunciation of jeopardy

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times

  • ducreux self portrait yawning
  • What is an earlier meaning of nice?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games