phallic

American  

[fal-ik] / ˈfæl ɪk /

Sometimes phallical

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a phallus.

2. of or relating to phallicism.

3. genital.

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phallic British  

/ ˈfælɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a phallus

   a phallic symbol

2. psychoanal

   1. relating to a stage of psychosexual development during which a male child's interest is concentrated on the genital organs

   2. designating personality traits, such as conceit and self-assurance, due to fixation at the phallic stage of development Compare anal oral genital

   3. (in Freudian theory) denoting a phase of early childhood in which there is a belief that both sexes possess a phallus

3. of or relating to phallicism

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Other Word Forms

• pseudophallic adjective

Etymology

Origin of phallic

From the Greek word phallikós, dating back to 1780–90. See phallus, -ic

Explanation

Phallic means resembling or related to a penis: people often talk about phallic shapes, like the Washington Monument. When you see phallic, think penis. Calling something phallic means it's penis-like in some way. In some cases, that means it has creative power, like how a penis, through sex, creates new life. In other cases, people just mean it looks like the shape of a penis. Many people have looked at phallic shapes in the world — such as missiles and many sculptures — and wondered what exactly the creators were thinking about.

Example Sentences

Students at a London university say a proposed "phallic" sculpture by Sir Antony Gormley could "hurt the image and reputation" of the institution.

From BBC • Aug. 5, 2022

She watches “Peppa Pig,” which I, of course, hate — those British pigs with their phallic noses prattling on about nothing.

From New York Times • Jan. 5, 2022

The mayor of a town in Malta has called for a "phallic" sculpture displayed close to the main airport to be removed ahead of the Pope's visit this weekend.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2010

Some lingas are carved and bear one or four faces, thus entirely losing any phallic appearance.

From Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 2 by Eliot, Charles, Sir

Upon Plate XXVI. we have representations of stone pillars at Atheniaon, upon the capitals of which are phallic emblems, including that of the Sun as a disc within the horns of the Crescent moon.

From The Non-Christian Cross An Enquiry into the Origin and History of the Symbol Eventually Adopted as That of Our Religion by Parsons, John Denham