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

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

From BBC • Nov. 29, 2023

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

The Hindoo physicians state that the root decoction in milk is aphrodisiac; the root is also regarded as an antidote for the bite of the “cobra da cabelho,” but its virtue is purely imaginary.

From The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines by Thomas, Jerome Beers