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

Earlier this month, Victoria shared some of her photos from the group's excursion, posting photos to Instagram of their family that featured their superyacht — as well as a few thirst traps of David. —Becca Longmire, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025

As for the glasses, which the internet has been gaga for since his character was first spotted wearing them in the trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth, he's been embracing the thirst trap. —EW.com, 27 June 2025

So, go ahead and post a thirst trap or a video showcasing your gifts. —Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 9 June 2025

And now, there’s another, albeit slightly unorthodox approach: a TikTok account making thirst traps of Yellowstone National Park. —Teaghan Skulszki, Outside Online, 15 May 2025

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

Rhymes for thirst trap

• bandgap
• bitmap
• blackcap
• blackstrap
• bootstrap
• burlap
• claptrap
• entrap
• foolscap
• kidnap
• kneecap
• madcap