phallic

adjective

phal·​lic ˈfa-lik 

1

: of or relating to phallicism

a phallic cult

2

: of, relating to, or resembling a phallus

3

: relating to or being the stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory that follows the anal stage and during which a child becomes interested in his or her own sexual organs

phallically

ˈfa-li-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of phallic in a Sentence

The poem is filled with phallic imagery.

an ancient Greek phallic symbol representing fertility

Recent Examples on the Web

So did Prime Video have any concerns about The Boys setting a very graphic and phallic scene against one of their biggest shows? —Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 13 June 2024

Patrick’s banana As Art slurps down electrolyte goo, Patrick opts for the undeniably phallic banana, biting and chewing and smirking at his rival. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2024

The electric blue sculpture modeled on party balloons fills the inner courtyard with its long phallic tail. —Kirsty Lang For The Times, Robb Report, 1 Dec. 2021

Brian Peck haunted the fictional set carrying the phallic vegetables and sometimes eating them, which made people uncomfortable. —Zoe Guy, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Greek phallikós "of or relating to a phallus," from phallós phallus + -ikos -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

phallic

adjective

phal·​lic ˈfal-ik 

1

: of, relating to, or resembling a penis

2

: of, relating to, or characterized by the stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory following the anal stage and during which a child becomes interested in his or her own sexual organs compare anal sense 2, genital sense 3, oral sense 3