aphrodisiac
Americanadjective
noun
noun
adjective
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Aphrodisiacs are named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of aphrodisiac
1710–20; < Greek aphrodīsiak ós relating to love or desire, equivalent to aphrodī́si ( os ) of Aphrodite + -akos -ac
Explanation
An aphrodisiac is a drug (or something else) that puts people in the mood for sex. Anything described as aphrodisiac gets folks ready for sex. In some cases, that could be a drug. Other people find candles, music, or even dimming the lights to be aphrodisiacs. Food is considered a major aphrodisiac by many people, and there are several foods like oysters and chocolate that are thought to have an aphrodisiac effect. When you see aphrodisiac, think sexual.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In an interview for BBC Radio 5 Live and Newsnight, he said: "The best aphrodisiac in politics is hope. If people can see a change, there's a change in atmosphere."
From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026
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 • Mar. 14, 2023
Rhino horns are sold by poachers in South Asia, China, Vietnam and some other countries because of a belief that they contain an aphrodisiac and medicinal properties.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 22, 2021
So too can inequitable division of household labor—exhaustion with a side of resentment is hardly an aphrodisiac.
From Salon • Dec. 20, 2020
In spite of the whole modern school of impressionists, æsthetes, and aphrodisiac poets, the most prominent features of Greek art are its intellectuality, its well-reasoned science, and its accurate conception of the ideal.
From Doctor Claudius, A True Story by Crawford, F. Marion (Francis Marion)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
