fetishism

or fet·ich·ism

[ fet-i-shiz-uhm, fee-ti- ]

/ ˈfɛt ɪˌʃɪz əm, ˈfi tɪ- /

Save This Word!

noun

belief in or use of fetishes.

Psychiatry. the compulsive use of some object, or part of the body, as a stimulus in the course of attaining sexual gratification, as a shoe, a lock of hair, or underclothes.

blind devotion: a fetishism of sacrifice to one's children.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of fetishism

First recorded in 1795–1805; fetish + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM fetishism

fet·ish·ist, nounfet·ish·is·tic, adjectivefet·ish·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby fetishism

fetial, feticide, fetid, fetiparous, fetish, fetishism, fetishize, fetlock, fetology, fetor, fetoscope

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use fetishism in a sentence

I’d say that I’ve been thinking a lot about how the American work ethic is a fetishism of work, the process of work, and not of the worker.
The remote work revolution hasn’t happened yet|Sean Illing|November 29, 2021|Vox
In the world of liberal racism, the problem isn’t hate so much as it is unthinking and callous fetishism.
The smart political argument behind the satire Such a Fun Age|Constance Grady|November 19, 2021|Vox
Fat fetishism has deep roots for many fat people, especially fat women.
Such a pretty face|Aubrey Gordon|February 26, 2021|Vox
Fetishism of the Zui description is, indeed, the natural concomitant of a totemic system.
The Myths of the North American Indians|Lewis Spence

One of them is that on which we have just commented, the assimilation between Positivism and Fetishism.
August Comte and Positivism|John-Stuart Mill
Fetishism forms an important link in the evolution of the mere animistic spirit into the god.
An Introduction to Mythology|Lewis Spence
Fetishism, phallicism, animism, and tree- and serpent-worship were very common.
The Gist of Japan|R. B. Peery
Our beginning is with the prevailing religion of Africa, Fetishism.
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 8, 1923|Various

British Dictionary definitions for fetishism

fetishism

fetichism

/ (ˈfɛtɪˌʃɪzəm, ˈfiː-) /

noun

a condition in which the handling of an inanimate object or a specific part of the body other than the sexual organs is a source of sexual satisfaction

belief in or recourse to a fetish for magical purposes

excessive attention or attachment to something

Derived forms of fetishism

fetishist or fetichist, nounfetishistic or fetichistic, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012