This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
incubus
[ in-kyuh-buhs, ing- ]
/ ˈɪn kyə bəs, ˈɪŋ- /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun, plural in·cu·bi [in-kyuh-bahy, ing-], /ˈɪn kyəˌbaɪ, ˈɪŋ-/, in·cu·bus·es.
an imaginary demon or evil spirit supposed to descend upon sleeping persons, especially one fabled to have sexual intercourse with women during their sleep.Compare succubus (def. 1).
a nightmare.
something that weighs upon or oppresses one like a nightmare.
QUIZ
ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?
We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.
Question 1 of 8
Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?
Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing
Origin of incubus
1175–1225; Middle English <Late Latin: a nightmare induced by such a demon, noun derivative of Latin incubāre to lie upon; see incubate
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH incubus
incubus , succubusWords nearby incubus
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use incubus in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for incubus
incubus
/ (ˈɪnkjʊbəs) /
noun plural -bi (-ˌbaɪ) or -buses
a demon believed in folklore to lie upon sleeping persons, esp to have sexual intercourse with sleeping womenCompare succubus
something that oppresses, worries, or disturbs greatly, esp a nightmare or obsession
Word Origin for incubus
C14: from Late Latin, from incubāre to lie upon; see incubate
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
Medical definitions for incubus
incubus
[ ĭn′kyə-bəs, ĭng′- ]
n. pl. in•cu•bus•es
An evil spirit believed to have sexual intercourse with women as they sleep.
A nightmare.
An oppressive or nightmarish burden.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.