necrophilia

American  

[nek-ruh-fil-ee-uh] / ˌnɛk rəˈfɪl i ə /

noun

Psychiatry.

1. an erotic attraction to corpses.

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necrophilia British  

/ ˌnɛkrəʊˈfɪlɪə, ˈnɛkrəʊˌfaɪl /

noun

1. Also called: necromania.   necrophilism.  sexual attraction for or sexual intercourse with dead bodies

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Other Word Forms

• necrophiliac adjective
• necrophilic adjective

Etymology

Origin of necrophilia

From New Latin, dating back to 1890–95; necro-, -philia

Explanation

Someone who is overly interested in dead bodies — even feeling an attraction toward them — suffers from necrophilia. Use the noun necrophilia to describe a person's fascination with, and sexual attraction to, corpses. There is some evidence that members of the Moche civilization, in what is now Peru, believed that sex with dead bodies provided a spiritual connection with the deceased, but necrophilia has mostly been a rare and abnormal occurrence. The word comes from the Greek nekros, "death," and philia, "love or affection."

Example Sentences

Thus American society stands broadly convicted of necrophilia — as opposed to biophilia.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2024

Jokes about "necrophilia," "autism" and "Selena Gomez's kidney transplant" were named as examples of jokes that the characters found to be inappropriate.

From Fox News • Aug. 4, 2021

The latest joke at her expense came in a recent episode of the Paramount+ legal drama, when characters discussed off-limits topics for comedy now as being necrophilia, autism and "Selena Gomez's kidney transplant".

From BBC • Aug. 4, 2021

Kees Moeliker of the Netherlands, the scientific discoverer of homosexual necrophilia in the mallard duck.

From Slate • Sep. 12, 2012

Avoiding the dual traps of necrophilia and hagiography, the play tackles with gusto and considerable bursts of humor the period surrounding Garland’s London concert gigs at Talk of the Town not long before her death.

From New York Times • Dec. 1, 2010