succubus
Americannoun
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a demon in female form, said to have sexual intercourse with men in their sleep.
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any demon or evil spirit.
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Archaic. a strumpet; prostitute.
noun
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Also called: succuba. a female demon fabled to have sexual intercourse with sleeping men Compare incubus
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any evil demon
Etymology
Origin of succubus
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin, variant of Latin succuba succuba; cf. incubus
Compare meaning
How does succubus compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
If a mythical creature wakes you at night and tempts you with erotic suggestions, then maybe you've encountered a succubus. Men had better sleep with one eye to avoid this legendary seductress who takes advantage of them. First used in the late 14th century, the noun succubus has origins in the Late Latin word succubare, meaning to "lie under." This is exactly what a succubus might do to men as she engages in sexual intercourse as they sleep. This female demon of the sleep first appeared in medieval folklore and has taken on many forms, ranging from beautiful enchantress to a ghastly supernatural being portrayed in literature, film, music, and video games.
Vocabulary lists containing succubus
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.
But “Die for Me” offers compelling counterarguments — like, what if that succubus is gorgeous, rich and erudite?
From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026
She doesn’t need to go into all the drama of what a financial succubus her mom is, because that won’t be productive.
From Slate • Sep. 7, 2021
She mothered iconic unhinged villains, like the green-horned succubus in “Curse of the Crimson Altar.”
From New York Times • Oct. 24, 2019
A few days later, a protective encasement splits and healthy adult mosquitoes take flight, with a new generation of succubus females ready to feed.
From The Guardian • Sep. 20, 2019
Most of us can boast than we have never been cruel to a hippopotamus or had dealings with a succubus or taken a bribe of a million pounds to betray a friend.
From The Pleasures of Ignorance by Lynd, Robert
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.
