fetishism

noun

fe·​tish·​ism ˈfe-ti-ˌshi-zəm 

 also  ˈfē-

variants or less commonly fetichism

1

: belief in magical fetishes

2

: extravagant irrational devotion

3

: the pathological displacement of erotic interest and satisfaction to a fetish

fetishist

ˈfe-ti-shist 

 also  ˈfē-

noun

fetishistic

ˌfe-ti-ˈshi-stik 

also

ˌfē- 

adjective

fetishistically

ˌfe-ti-ˈshi-sti-k(ə-)lē 

 also  ˌfē-

adverb

Examples of fetishism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Blink Twice nods at a tangle of different contemporary ailments: lifestyle fetishism, wellness hedonism, our obscene fealty to stolid tech bros and their untrammeled wealth. —Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2024

The transgressive tingle of such sentences has dulled a little over time; the contemporary reader may find their strident fetishism more than a touch distasteful. —Giles Harvey, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2024

Tradeshow Expansions Other slightly more seasoned brands offered their respective takes on fetishism. —Lee Hyo-Won, WWD, 19 Sep. 2024

In anthropology, fetishism refers to the veneration of inanimate objects. —Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

fetishism

noun

fe·​tish·​ism

variants also fetichism

-ish-ˌiz-əm 

: the pathological displacement of erotic interest and satisfaction to a fetish

fetishistic adjective

also fetichistic

ˌfet-ish-ˈis-tik also ˌfēt- 

fetishistically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb