aphrodisiac

American  

[af-ruh-dee-ze-ak, -diz-ee-ak] / ˌæf rəˈdi zɛˌæk, -ˈdɪz iˌæk /

adjective

1. Also aphrodisiacal arousing sexual desire.

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noun

1. an aphrodisiac food, drug, potion, or other agent that arouses sexual desire.

aphrodisiac British  

/ ˌæfrəˈdɪzɪæk /

noun

1. a drug, food, etc, that excites sexual desire

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adjective

1. exciting or heightening sexual desire

aphrodisiac Cultural  

1. A substance or quality that excites sexual desire.

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Discover More

Aphrodisiacs are named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love.

Other Word Forms

• antiaphrodisiac adjective

Etymology

Origin of aphrodisiac

1710–20; < Greek aphrodīsiak ós relating to love or desire, equivalent to aphrodī́si ( os ) of Aphrodite + -akos -ac

Example Sentences

For U.S. mass media, Henry Kissinger’s quip that “power is the ultimate aphrodisiac” rang as an obvious truism.

From Salon

"Power," he was fond of saying, "is the ultimate aphrodisiac."

From BBC

The Russian dancer was entranced, according to “Nureyev,” a biography by Julie Kavanagh; once, he described Ms. Seymour’s dancing as a kind of artistic aphrodisiac.

From Washington Post

“It’s true that people use it as an aphrodisiac,” Prince Jeffries says of her family’s chicken recipe, chuckling, noting that she likes it mild.

From Washington Post

Where Ina goes, I will follow, whether it’s denim shirts as daily uniform, roast chicken as aphrodisiac, or the need for “good” olive oil.

From Washington Post