venereal

adjective

ve·​ne·​re·​al və-ˈnir-ē-əl How to pronounce venereal (audio)
1
: of or relating to sexual pleasure or indulgence
2
a
: resulting from or contracted during sexual intercourse
venereal infections
b
: of, relating to, or affected with venereal disease
a high venereal rate
c
: involving the genital organs
venereal sarcoma
venereally adverb

Examples of venereal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jerry Lee, who would tolerate no image-makeover Svengali, wore the musk of venereal danger, styled himself as a reckless teen girl’s dream and her mom’s nightmare. Richard Corliss, Time, 28 Oct. 2022 But his statement perfectly fits the difference between venereal and endemic syphilis, evidence that suggests both diseases existed in 15th-century England. Marylynn Salmon, The Conversation, 13 July 2022 So did a lifetime of venereal infections, which was probably what did him in. Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 20 June 2022 Canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT) is found on or near dogs’ genitals, and is usually passed during mating. Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 24 Mar. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Middle English venerealle, from Latin Venerius, Venereus "of Venus, of or relating to sexual desire or sexual activity, erotic," adjective derivative of vener-, venus "sexual desire, sexual intercourse, (as proper noun) goddess personifying sexual attractiveness" + -alle -al entry 1 — more at venus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of venereal was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Venereal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/venereal. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

venereal

adjective
ve·​ne·​re·​al və-ˈnir-ē-əl How to pronounce venereal (audio)
: resulting from or contracted during sexual intercourse
a venereal infection

Medical Definition

venereal

adjective
ve·​ne·​re·​al və-ˈnir-ē-əl How to pronounce venereal (audio)
1
: of or relating to sexual pleasure or indulgence
2
a
: resulting from or contracted during sexual intercourse
venereal infections
b
: of, relating to, or affected with venereal disease
a high venereal rate
c
: involving the genital organs
venereal sarcoma
venereally adverb

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