phallic

adjective

phal·​lic ˈfa-lik 

1

: of or relating to phallicism

a phallic cult

2

: of, relating to, or resembling a phallus

3

: relating to or being the stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory that follows the anal stage and during which a child becomes interested in his or her own sexual organs

phallically

ˈfa-li-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of phallic in a Sentence

The poem is filled with phallic imagery.

an ancient Greek phallic symbol representing fertility

Recent Examples on the Web

Billy Magnussen shines here, treating the stick/jackhammer like a very phallic extension of Adam’s manhood. —Jack King, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2024

David Bowie Now Has a Number One Country Music Hit No stranger to fiery love affairs, fraught dynamics or formal gambits, Guadagnino sets the movie’s torrid first half in a fantasy Mexico City one phallic statue away from going full Querelle. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2024

In the show, the producers’ solution is to insert an actress into the film midway through production and give her character an all-powerful phallic weapon from comic book lore, causing online fans to have a meltdown. —James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Sep. 2024

This can be seen in her line’s overtly phallic packaging of its luxury lipsticks and her satirical social media content which pokes fun at herself and the industry. —Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Greek phallikós "of or relating to a phallus," from phallós phallus + -ikos -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

phallic

adjective

phal·​lic ˈfal-ik 

1

: of, relating to, or resembling a penis

2

: of, relating to, or characterized by the stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory following the anal stage and during which a child becomes interested in his or her own sexual organs compare anal sense 2, genital sense 3, oral sense 3