erotomania

noun

ero·​to·​ma·​nia i-ˌrō-tə-ˈmā-nē-ə  -ˌrä- 

1

: excessive sexual desire

2

: a psychological disorder marked by the delusional belief that one is the object of another person's love or sexual desire

erotomaniac

i-ˌrō-tə-ˈmā-nē-ˌak 

-ˌrä-

noun

Examples of erotomania in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Here are two real-life examples of this cycle of erotomania. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024

This eccentric delusion is clinically recognized as erotomania. —Eric Taipale, Discover Magazine, 14 Oct. 2022

His fiscal profligacy, repeated battles with addiction, and seeming erotomania, make Billy Carter, Hugh Rodham, and Roger Clinton look like Boy Scouts. —Luke Thompson, National Review, 29 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

earlier "madness caused by unrequited love," borrowed from New Latin, borrowed from Greek erōtomanía, from erōto- eroto- + -mania -mania

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

erotomania

noun

ero·​to·​ma·​nia i-ˌrōt-ə-ˈmā-nē-ə  -ˌrät- 

1

: excessive sexual desire

2

: a psychological disorder marked by the delusional belief that one is the object of another person's love or sexual desire