aphrodisiac
|af-ro-dis-i-ac|
🇺🇸
/ˌæfrəˈdɪziæk/
🇬🇧
/ˌæfrəˈdɪz.i.æk/
stimulates sexual desire
Etymology
'aphrodisiac' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'aphrodisiakos', where 'Aphrodite' referred to the Greek goddess of love and beauty and the form meant 'of Aphrodite' or 'pertaining to sexual love'.
'aphrodisiakos' passed into Late Latin as 'aphrodisiacum' and then into Medieval and Early Modern English forms before becoming the modern English word 'aphrodisiac'.
Initially it meant 'of or relating to Aphrodite' (i.e., pertaining to sexual love), and over time it came to mean specifically 'a thing that arouses sexual desire' or 'causes sexual excitement'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a substance, food, or drink that is believed to increase sexual desire or arousal.
Some people consider oysters to be a natural aphrodisiac.
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Adjective 1
serving to arouse sexual desire; causing sexual excitement.
They used an aphrodisiac perfume to create a more romantic atmosphere.
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Idioms
Last updated: 2025/09/17 02:40