fetishism

noun

fe·​tish·​ism ˈfe-ti-ˌshi-zəm 

 also  ˈfē-

variants or less commonly fetichism

1

: belief in magical fetishes

2

: extravagant irrational devotion

3

: the pathological displacement of erotic interest and satisfaction to a fetish

fetishist

ˈfe-ti-shist 

 also  ˈfē-

noun

fetishistic

ˌfe-ti-ˈshi-stik 

also

ˌfē- 

adjective

fetishistically

ˌfe-ti-ˈshi-sti-k(ə-)lē 

 also  ˌfē-

adverb

Examples of fetishism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The transgressive tingle of such sentences has dulled a little over time; the contemporary reader may find their strident fetishism more than a touch distasteful. —Giles Harvey, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2024

Tradeshow Expansions Other slightly more seasoned brands offered their respective takes on fetishism. —Lee Hyo-Won, WWD, 19 Sep. 2024

In anthropology, fetishism refers to the veneration of inanimate objects. —Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2024

This can be particularly attractive in an era of data fetishism. —Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

fetishism

noun

fe·​tish·​ism

variants also fetichism

-ish-ˌiz-əm 

: the pathological displacement of erotic interest and satisfaction to a fetish

fetishistic adjective

also fetichistic

ˌfet-ish-ˈis-tik also ˌfēt- 

fetishistically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb