Electra complex

noun

: the Oedipus complex when it occurs in a female

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Electra complex was in 1913

Dictionary Entries Near Electra complex

Electra

Electra complex

electress

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Electra complex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Electra%20complex. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

Electra complex

noun
Elec·​tra complex i-ˌlek-trə- How to pronounce Electra complex (audio)
: the Oedipus complex when it occurs in a female

More from Merriam-Webster on Electra complex

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Electra complex

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
silhouette of a man with a megaphone against a british flag
Another Great British Vocabulary Quiz, Innit? A double-decker quiz with words from across the pond