penis envy

noun

: the supposed coveting of the penis by a young human female which is held in Freudian psychoanalytic theory to lead to feelings of inferiority and defensive or compensatory behavior

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of penis envy was in 1924

Dictionary Entries Near penis envy

Cite this Entry

“Penis envy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penis%20envy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

penis envy

noun
penis en·​vy -ˌen-vē How to pronounce penis envy (audio)
: the supposed coveting of the penis by a young human female which is held in Freudian psychoanalytic theory to lead to feelings of inferiority and defensive or compensatory behavior

More from Merriam-Webster on penis envy

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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