erotic

adjective

erot·​ic i-ˈrä-tik 

variants or less commonly erotical

i-ˈrä-ti-kəl 

1

: of, devoted to, or tending to arouse sexual love or desire

erotic art

2

: strongly marked or affected by sexual desire

erotic noun

erotically

i-ˈrä-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• amatory
• amorous
• aphrodisiac
• aphrodisiacal
• erogenous
• erotogenic
• sexy
• steamy

Examples of erotic in a Sentence

the erotic aspects of the story of Beauty and the Beast

Recent Examples on the Web

The erotic thriller has been critically acclaimed since its Venice Film Festival premiere. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 4 Dec. 2024

Nicole Kidman is proud of how her new erotic thriller depicts women's sexuality at older ages. —Tommy McArdle, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024

Real pros would resolve a point far more quickly, but this is tennis as modern erotic opera, and the scene ends with one of the most ecstatic visual jokes of the year: one man leaping across the net and landing—sweaty, smiling, spent—in the waiting arms of the other. —Ian Crouch, The New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2024

Ostensibly a biblical epic where the ultimate ending is Marcus accepting Christ and eternal life, The Sign of the Cross features an erotic lesbian dance, actress Claudette Colbert bathing in milk, and about 20 straight minutes of gladiator games that have the general vibe of a snuff film. —James Grebey, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek erōtikos, from erōt-, erōs

First Known Use

1621, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing erotic

• anti-erotic

Kids Definition

erotic

adjective

erot·​ic i-ˈrät-ik 

: of, relating to, or marked by sexual love or desire

erotically

-ˈrät-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

eroticism

-ˈrät-ə-ˌsiz-əm

noun

Medical Definition

erotic

adjective

erot·​ic i-ˈrät-ik 

variants also erotical

i-ˈrät-i-kəl 

1

: of, devoted to, or tending to arouse sexual love or desire

2

: strongly marked or affected by sexual desire

erotically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb