libido

noun

li·​bi·​do lə-ˈbē-(ˌ)dō 

also

ˈli-bə-ˌdō 

or

lə-ˈbī-(ˌ)dō 

plural libidos

1

: instinctual psychic energy that in psychoanalytic theory is derived from primitive biological urges (as for sexual pleasure or self-preservation) and that is expressed in conscious activity

2

: sexual drive

The drug was used to increase libido.

Did you know?

The Latin word libido, meaning "desire, lust", was borrowed by Sigmund Freud as the name for a concept in his own theories. At first he defined libido to mean the instinctual energy associated with the sex drive. Later he broadened the word's meaning and began using it to mean the mental energy behind purposeful human activity of any kind; in other words, the libido (for which Freud also used the term eros, a Greek word meaning "sexual love") came to be regarded as the life instinct, which included sex along with all the other impulses we rely on to keep us alive. But those of us who aren't psychologists use the word simply as a synonym for "sex drive".

Examples of libido in a Sentence

Lack of libido may be a sign of depression.

Recent Examples on the Web

In males, low testosterone is associated with late puberty, erectile dysfunction, and low libido. —Wendy Wisner, Health, 29 Nov. 2024

Researchers found that women reported a dip in libido in the days leading up to Christmas Day, with low desire lingering until after the New Year. —Laura Berman, USA TODAY, 26 Nov. 2024

Each developing egg also produces estrogen, which, in low amounts, can boost your energy levels and libido and clear up your skin, but at the high quantities created by a bunch of maturing follicles, can also worsen fluid retention and bloating, Dr. Jackson-Bey explains. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 4 Oct. 2024

This thinking woman’s libido brings plenty of drama. —Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin libidin-, libido, from Latin, desire, lust, from libēre to please — more at love

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

libido

noun

li·​bi·​do

lə-ˈbēd-(ˌ)ō also ˈlib-ə-ˌdō or lə-ˈbī-(ˌ)dō

plural libidos

1

: instinctual psychic energy that in psychoanalytic theory is derived from primitive biological urges (as for sexual pleasure or self-preservation) and that is expressed in conscious activity

2

: sexual drive