erotomania

noun

ero·​to·​ma·​nia i-ˌrō-tə-ˈmā-nē-ə How to pronounce erotomania (audio) -ˌrä- How to pronounce erotomania (audio)
1
: excessive sexual desire
2
: a psychological disorder marked by the delusional belief that one is the object of another person's love or sexual desire
erotomaniac noun

Examples of erotomania in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Here are two real-life examples of this cycle of erotomania. Mark Travers, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 This eccentric delusion is clinically recognized as erotomania. Eric Taipale, Discover Magazine, 14 Oct. 2022 His fiscal profligacy, repeated battles with addiction, and seeming erotomania, make Billy Carter, Hugh Rodham, and Roger Clinton look like Boy Scouts. Luke Thompson, National Review, 29 Sep. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'erotomania.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

earlier "madness caused by unrequited love," borrowed from New Latin, borrowed from Greek erōtomanía, from erōto- eroto- + -mania -mania

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of erotomania was in 1877

Dictionary Entries Near erotomania

Cite this Entry

“Erotomania.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erotomania. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

erotomania

noun
ero·​to·​ma·​nia i-ˌrōt-ə-ˈmā-nē-ə How to pronounce erotomania (audio) -ˌrät- How to pronounce erotomania (audio)
1
: excessive sexual desire
2
: a psychological disorder marked by the delusional belief that one is the object of another person's love or sexual desire

More from Merriam-Webster on erotomania

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