aphrodisiac

[ af-ruh-dee-ze-ak, -diz-ee-ak ]
/ ˌæf rəˈdi zɛˌæk, -ˈdɪz iˌæk /

adjective

Also aph·ro·di·si·a·cal [af-ruh-duh-zahy-uh-kuh l, -sahy-] /ˌæf rə dəˈzaɪ ə kəl, -ˈsaɪ-/. arousing sexual desire.

noun

an aphrodisiac food, drug, potion, or other agent that arouses sexual desire.

Origin of aphrodisiac

1710–20; < Greek aphrodīsiakós relating to love or desire, equivalent to aphrodī́si(os) of Aphrodite + -akos -ac

OTHER WORDS FROM aphrodisiac

an·ti·aph·ro·dis·i·ac, adjective, noun

Example sentences from the Web for aphrodisiac

British Dictionary definitions for aphrodisiac

aphrodisiac
/ (ˌæfrəˈdɪzɪæk) /

noun

a drug, food, etc, that excites sexual desire

adjective

exciting or heightening sexual desire

Word Origin for aphrodisiac

C18: from Greek aphrodisiakos, from aphrodisios belonging to Aphrodite

Medical definitions for aphrodisiac

aphrodisiac
[ ăf′rə-dĭzē-ăk′, -dēzē- ]

adj.

Arousing, increasing, or intensifying sexual desire.

n.

An aphrodisiac drug or food.

Other words from aphrodisiac

aph′ro•di•sia•cal (-dĭ-zīĭ-kəl) adj.

Cultural definitions for aphrodisiac

aphrodisiac
[ (af-ruh-dee-zee-ak, af-ruh-diz-ee-ak) ]

A substance or quality that excites sexual desire.

notes for aphrodisiac

Aphrodisiacs are named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love.