eroticism

noun

erot·​i·​cism i-ˈrä-tə-ˌsi-zəm 

1

: an erotic theme or quality

2

: a state of sexual arousal

3

: insistent sexual impulse or desire

eroticist

i-ˈrä-tə-sist 

noun

Synonyms

• ardor
• concupiscence
• eros
• horniness
• itch
• lust
• lustfulness
• passion

Examples of eroticism in a Sentence

the subtle eroticism of his films

an actress known for her smoldering eroticism

Recent Examples on the Web

But nothing gets at the unabashed nature of Babygirl’s eroticism like that shot of Samuel tenderly cradling his lover like a child after having spent long hours holed up in a hotel room together indulging in lovemaking and games of dominance and submission. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2024

Vampires always had this potential, and indeed the eroticism is there in the source text, which the movie makes some changes to. —James Grebey, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024

Audrey said this film is an exploration of eroticism in the post-#MeToo era. —Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Sep. 2024

Donning pounds of makeup to resemble Max Schreck in Murnau’s 1922 film, Klaus Kinski’s sympathetic take on Count Dracula emphasizes the vampire’s tragic loneliness, while Isabelle Adjani adds complex layers of eroticism to her Lucy Harker. —Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

eroticism

noun

erot·​i·​cism i-ˈrät-ə-ˌsiz-əm 

1

: the arousal of or the attempt to arouse sexual feeling by means of suggestion, symbolism, or allusion (as in an art form)

2

: a state of sexual arousal or anticipation (as from stimulation of erogenous zones)

3

: insistent sexual impulse or desire