thirst trap

noun

plural thirst traps

: a photograph (such as a selfie) or video shared for the purpose of attracting attention or desire

A thirst trap is always clearly posted or sent for the attention and admiration of one or more people—but is often done coyly …

—Madeline Merinuk

Several of the videos posted by Mr. Ossoff, 35, who has moppy brown hair and boyish good looks, have been interpreted by his fans as thirst traps.

—Anna P. Kambhampaty

also : someone or something that attracts attention or strong desire

Thirst trap Boris Kodjoe spends a lot of time without clothes in the movie, to the delight of his fans.

—Tonya Pendleton

He's not just a thoughtful and empathetic leader, he's also an A+ thirst trap.

—GQ

Michael Roos is a long-time DJ, and his house is a thirst trap for music lovers with a colossal collection of vinyl, an adjoined music studio and walls lined with memorabilia.

—Eva Raggio

Examples of thirst trap in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The wedding contest comes on the heels of Bumble’s headline-making Valentine’s Day campaign, which starred actor Barry Keoghan in a series of shirtless thirst traps. —Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024

But there is a deeper sense of alienation lurking beneath the one-liners and thirst traps; at one point in our chat, Dabice wells up with tears while relaying the specific kind of seclusion touring musicians endure. —Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2024

Martha Stewart is prepared for anything — including a swim (and the attendant thirst trap) at a moment's notice. —Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 26 Feb. 2024

Estes, as well as three of his friends, use the account to post thirst traps and other videos of their cowboy life in Montana. —Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2024

The lifestyle mogul has a candid conversation about aging with her cosmetic dermatologist, Dr. Dan Belkin, on the season 2 premiere of her iHeartRadio podcast Martha Stewart has become a pro at breaking the Internet with her thirst traps. —Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 8 Feb. 2024

Prompted to show an embarrassing photo instead, Bad Bunny pulled out a thirst trap. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 22 Oct. 2023

She's filled us in on the key to her voluminous bob, her feelings on Botox, taught us how to take the ultimate thirst trap selfie, and even given Allure a tour of her bathroom. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 23 Jan. 2024

Since then, the television personality has grown into something a thirst trap expert. —Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 29 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Note: Thirst trap in the above sense appears to be a recycling of the phrase in an earlier sense, "feeling of satiety during exercise after drinking a small amount of liquid without fully rehydrating the body."

First Known Use

2011, in the meaning defined above