voyeurism
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of voyeurism
Explanation
Voyeurism is a strange type of behavior in which someone gets turned on by watching other people, especially in sexual situations. There are a lot of odd people in the world, including those who have an extreme, often sexual interest in watching other people — who may or may not be having sex. These voyeurs get off more on watching than doing. Some people might volunteer to be watched, but other times voyeurism involves someone watching another person without their knowledge. This is illegal and very creepy.
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.
There is, therefore, a discomfiting sense of voyeurism.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026
But does it implicate us in this morbid voyeurism?
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 12, 2025
Here is this ostensibly brilliant, devilishly handsome, debonair man, touting his biotech voyeurism like he’s a kid showing off a painting he made in art class.
From Salon • Apr. 19, 2025
Families of the victims previously said in a statement the potential breach was "gross and inexcusable voyeurism at the most repugnant level".
From BBC • Mar. 10, 2025
Reporting on family feuds or personal problems of private individuals promotes an "unacceptable culture of voyeurism and rumour-mongering", he said.
From BBC • Aug. 9, 2024
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.
