aphrodisiac
noun
aph·ro·di·si·ac ˌa-frə-ˈdē-zē-ˌak 
-ˈdi-zē-
-ˈdi-zē- : an agent (such as a food or drug) that arouses or is held to arouse sexual desire
aphrodisiac adjective
or less commonly aphrodisiacal
ˌa-frə-di-ˈsī-ə-kəl
-ˈzī-
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Some even use it as an aphrodisiac or a treatment for erectile dysfunction, according to a 2018 report published in the scientific journal RSC Advances. 
María Luisa Paúl, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2022 Valentine’s Day aside, chocolate is not an aphrodisiac. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Aug. 2022 Vuelve a la vida means return to life, and is seen in Venezuela as a sauce that aids with virility and is commonly used as an aphrodisiac. Aly Walansky, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 Suggestion is a powerful aphrodisiac anywhere, but especially in a company town built on selling images. Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2022 Chefs—particularly celebrities like Alim—also have power, which Emezi acknowledges can be an aphrodisiac. Zan Romanoff, Bon Appétit, 21 June 2022 Rhino horns have been prescribed as an aphrodisiac or a cure for various fevers and convulsions in some Asian countries, despite objections from the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine. The Editors, Outside Online, 17 Apr. 2015 Finally, and most pitifully, there’s a myth that eating dog is an aphrodisiac. Liza Lentini, SPIN, 16 June 2022 There’s no question that the scams act as a little bit of an aphrodisiac for these two. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 26 May 2022 See More
María Luisa Paúl, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2022 Valentine’s Day aside, chocolate is not an aphrodisiac. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Aug. 2022 Vuelve a la vida means return to life, and is seen in Venezuela as a sauce that aids with virility and is commonly used as an aphrodisiac. Aly Walansky, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 Suggestion is a powerful aphrodisiac anywhere, but especially in a company town built on selling images. Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2022 Chefs—particularly celebrities like Alim—also have power, which Emezi acknowledges can be an aphrodisiac. Zan Romanoff, Bon Appétit, 21 June 2022 Rhino horns have been prescribed as an aphrodisiac or a cure for various fevers and convulsions in some Asian countries, despite objections from the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine. The Editors, Outside Online, 17 Apr. 2015 Finally, and most pitifully, there’s a myth that eating dog is an aphrodisiac. Liza Lentini, SPIN, 16 June 2022 There’s no question that the scams act as a little bit of an aphrodisiac for these two. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 26 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Greek aphrodisiakos sexual, gem with aphrodisiac properties, from aphrodisia heterosexual pleasures, from neuter plural of aphrodisios of Aphrodite, from Aphroditē
First Known Use
1711, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing aphrodisiac
Medical Definition
aphrodisiac 1 of 2
adjective
aph·ro·di·si·ac ˌaf-rə-ˈdē-zē-ˌak -ˈdiz-ē-
-ˈdiz-ē- variants also aphrodisiacal
ˌaf-rəd-ə-ˈzī-ə-kəl -ˈsī-
-ˈsī- : exciting sexual desire
aphrodisiac
2 of 2noun
: an aphrodisiac agent
aphrodisiac
adjective
variants also aphrodisiacal
as in erotic
of, relating to, exciting, or expressing sexual attraction or desire the tomato's supposed aphrodisiac qualities have caused it to be also known as "the love apple" Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- erotic
- sexy
- sensual
- erotical
- spicy
- amorous
- erogenous
- amatory
- erotogenic
- steamy
- suggestive
- autoerotic
- sensuous
- lustful
- vulgar
- carnal
- obscene
- gross
- foul
- titillating
- pornographic
- lascivious
- bawdy
- prurient
- lewd
- ribald
- nasty
- smutty
- fleshly
- racy
- indecent
- unprintable
- filthy
- fetishistic
- dirty
- perversive
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- proper
- decorous
- unerotic
- unsexy
- polite
- decent
- nonerotic
- innocuous
- inoffensive
- clean
- seemly